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The Oxford Book of Ballads




                                  The
                            Oxford Book of
                                Ballads

                          Chosen & Edited by
                         Arthur Quiller-Couch

                                Oxford
                        At the Clarendon Press


PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN




                                  TO
                           THE ONE SURVIVOR
                             OF THREE MEN
                   TO WHOM ALL LOVERS OF THE BALLAD
                        OWE MOST IN THESE TIMES
                          FRANCIS JAMES CHILD
                       FREDERICK JAMES FURNIVALL
                                  AND
                           JOHN WESLEY HALES




PREFACE


As in _The Oxford Book of English Verse_ I tried to range over the
whole field of the English Lyric, and to choose the best, so in this
volume I have sought to bring together the best Ballads out of the
whole of our national stock. But the method, order, balance of the
two books are different perforce, as the fates of the Lyric and the
Ballad have been diverse. While the Lyric in general, still making
for variety, is to-day more prolific than ever and (all cant apart)
promises fruit to equal the best, that particular offshoot which we
call the Ballad has been dead, or as good as dead, for two hundred
years. It would seem to have discovered, almost at the start, a very
precise Platonic pattern of what its best should be; and having
exhausted itself in reproducing that, it declined (through a crab-apple
stage of Broadsides) into sterility. Therefore this anthology cannot
be brought down to the present day, and therefore the first half of it
contains far finer poetry than the second.

But it may be objected that among Ballads no such thing as chronological
order is possible; and that, if it were, I have not attempted it. ‘Why
then did I not boldly mix up all my flowers in a heap and afterwards
sit down to re-arrange them, disregarding history, studious only
that one flower should set off another and the whole wreath be a
well-balanced circle?’ I will try to answer this, premising only that
tact is nine-tenths of the anthologist’s business. It is very true that
the Ballads have no chronology: that no one can say when _Hynd Horn_
was composed, or assert with proof that _Clerk Saunders_ is younger
than _Childe Maurice_ or _Tam Lin_ older than _Sir Patrick Spens_,
though that all five are older than _The Children in the Wood_ no one
with an ounce of literary sense would deny. Even of our few certainties
we have to remember that, where almost everything depends on oral
tradition, it may easily happen--in fact happens not seldom--that a
really old ballad ‘of the best period’ has reached us late and in a
corrupted form, its original gold overlaid with silver and bronze. It
is true, moreover, that these pages, declining an impossible order,
decline also the pretence to it. I have arranged the ballads in seven
books: of which the first deals with Magic, the ‘Seely Court’, and the
supernatural; the second (and on the whole the most beautiful) with
stories of absolute romance such as _Childe Waters_, _Lord Ingram_,
_Young Andrew_; the third with romance shading off into real history,
as in _Sir Patrick Spens_, _Hugh of Lincoln_, _The Queen’s Marie_; the
fourth with Early Carols and ballads of Holy Writ. This closes Part
I. The fifth book is all of the Greenwood and Robin Hood; the sixth
follows history down from Chevy Chase and the Homeric deeds of Douglas
and Percy to less renowned if not less spirited Border feuds; while the
seventh and last book presents the Ballad in various aspects of false
beginning and decline--_The Old Cloak_, which deserved a long line of
children but in fact has had few; _Barbara Allen_, late but exquisite;
_Lord Lovel_, which is silly sooth; and _The Suffolk Tragedy_, wherein
a magnificent ballad-theme is ambled to market like so much butter. My
hope is that this arrangement, while it avoids mixing up things that
differ and keeps consorted those (the Robin Hood Ballads for example)
which naturally go together, does ‘in round numbers’ give a view of the
Ballad in its perfection and decline, and that so my book may be useful
to the student as well as to the disinterested lover of poetry for whom
it is chiefly intended.

This brings me to the matter of text. To make a ‘scientific’ anthology
of the Ballads was out of the question. In so far as scientific
treatment could be brought to them the work had been done, for many
generations to come, if not finally, by the late Professor Child[1] in
his monumental edition, to which at every turn I have been indebted for
guidance back to the originals. Child’s method was to get hold of every
ballad in every extant version, good, bad, or indifferent, and to print
these versions side by side, with a foreword on the ballad’s history,
packed with every illustration that could be contributed out of his
immense knowledge of the folk-poetry of every race and country. His
work, as I say, left no room for follower or imitator; but fortunately
it lies almost as wide of my purpose as of my learning. My reader did
not require _Sir Patrick Spens_ or _May Colvin_ in a dozen or twenty
versions: he wanted one ballad, one _Sir Patrick Spens_, one _May
Colvin_, and that the best. How could I give him the best in my power?

There is only one way. It was Scott’s way, and the way of William
Allingham, who has been at pains to define it in the preface to his
_Ballad Book_ (Macmillan):--

    The various oral versions of a popular ballad obtainable throughout
    England, Scotland, and Ireland, are perhaps, even at this late
    day,[2] practically innumerable--one as ‘authentic’ as another.
    What then to do?... The right course has appeared to be this, to
    make oneself acquainted with all attainable versions of a ballad.
    Then (granting a ‘turn’ for such things, to begin; without which
    all were labour in vain) the editor may be supposed to get as much
    insight as may be into the origin and character of the ballad in
    question; he sees or surmises more or less as to the earliest
    version or versions, as to blunders, corruptions, alterations of
    every sort (national, local, personal) on the part of the reciters;
    he then comes to investigate the doings of former editors, adopting
    thankfully what he finds good, correcting at points whereupon he
    has attained better information, rejecting (when for the worse)
    acknowledged or obvious interpolations or changes. He has to
    give it in _one_ form--the best according to his judgement and
    feeling--in firm black and white, for critics, and for readers
    cultivated and simple.

This fairly describes Scott’s method as well as Allingham’s own. But
while I must claim along with them ‘a “turn” for such things’ (the
claim is implicit in my attempt), these two men were poets, and could
dare more boldly than I to rewrite a faulty stanza or to supply a
missing one. Of this ticklish license I have been extremely chary,
and have used it with the double precaution (1) of employing, so far
as might be, words and phrases found elsewhere in the text of the
ballad, and (2) of printing these experiments in square brackets,[3]
that the reader may not be misled. Maybe I should have resisted the
temptation altogether but for the necessity--in a work intended for
all sorts of readers, young and old--of removing or reducing here and
there in these eight hundred and sixty-five pages a coarse or a brutal
phrase. To those who deny the necessity I will only answer that while
no literature in the world exercises a stronger or on the whole a saner
fascination upon imaginative youth than do these ballads, it seems to
me wiser to omit a stanza from _Glasgerion_, for example, or to modify
a line in _Young Hunting_, than to withhold these beautiful things
altogether from boy or maid.

Before leaving this subject of texts and their handling, I must express
my thanks for the permission given me to make free use of the text of
the Percy Folio MS., edited by Professors Hales and Furnivall some
forty years ago. This was of course indispensable. In the history of
our ballad-literature the _Reliques_ themselves are, if something more
of a landmark, much less of a trophy than the three famous volumes so
romantically achieved by Professor Child and their two editors, whose
labour has been scarcely more honourable than their liberality which
has ever laid its results open to men’s benefit. Mr. Child died in
1896; Mr. Furnivall a few months ago. To Mr. Hales, survivor of the
famous three, I owe the permission given with a courtesy which set a
fresh value on what was already beyond value. I must also thank the
Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould for leave to include _The Brown Girl_ and
other ballads from his _Songs of the West_ and _A Garland of Country
Song_ (Methuen). It were idle to quote all the scholars--Ritson, Herd,
Scott, Jamieson and the rest--to whose labours every ballad-editor must
be indebted: but among younger men I wish to thank Mr. F. Sidgwick,
whose method in his two volumes of Ballads (Bullen) I can admire the
more unreservedly because it differs from mine.

I hope, at any rate, that in presenting each ballad as _one_, and
reconstructing it sometimes from many versions, I have kept pretty
constantly to the idea, of which Professor Ker[4] says--‘The truth is
that the Ballad is an Idea, a Poetical Form, which can take up any
matter, and does not leave that matter as it was before.’ If the reader
interrogate me concerning this Idea of the Ballad, as Mr. Pecksniff
demanded of Mrs. Todgers her Notion of a Wooden Leg, Professor Ker has
my answer prepared:--

    In spite of Socrates and his logic we may venture to say, in answer
    to the question ‘What is a ballad?’--‘A Ballad is _The Milldams of
    Binnorie_ and _Sir Patrick Spens_ and _The Douglas Tragedy_ and
    _Lord Randal_ and _Childe Maurice_, and things of that sort.’

There the reader has it, without need of the definition or of the
historical account which this Preface must not attempt. Its author,
no doubt, is destined to consign, some day, and ‘come to dust’ with
more learned editors: but meanwhile, if one ask ‘What is a Ballad?’--I
answer, It is these things; and it is

    About the dead hour o’ the night
      She heard the bridles ring.
                                                            (_Tam Lin_)

and

    But this ladye is gone to her chamber,
      Her maydens following bright.
                                                        (_Sir Cawline_)

It is

    ‘O we were sisters, sisters seven;
    We were the fairest under heaven.’
                                                         (_Cospatrick_)

and

    ‘I see no harm by you, Margaret,
      Nor you see none by me.’
                                    (_Fair Margaret and Sweet William_)

and

    In somer, when the shawes be sheyne,
      And leves be large and long.
                                            (_Robin Hood and the Monk_)

and

    O there was horsing, horsing in haste,
      And cracking of whips out owre the lee.
                                                 (_Archie of Cawfield_)

It is even

    And there did he see brave Captain Ogilvie
      A-training of his men on the green.
                                      (_The Duke of Gordon’s Daughter_)

Like the Clown in _Twelfth Night_, it can sing both high and low: but
the note is unmistakable whether it sing high:

    O cocks are crowing on merry middle-earth;
      I wot the wild fowls are boding day.
                                                     (_Clerk Saunders_)

    Half-owre, half-owre to Aberdour,
      ’Tis fifty fathoms deep;
    And there lies gude Sir Patrick Spens,
      Wi’ the Scots lords at his feet!
                                                  (_Sir Patrick Spens_)

    ‘O Earl Bran’, I see your heart’s bloud!’--
          _Ay lally, o lilly lally_
    ‘It’s na but the glent o’ my scarlet hood’
          _All i’ the night sae early._
                                                         (_Earl Brand_)

or low

    Then up bespake the bride’s mother--
      She never was heard to speak so free:
    ‘Ye’ll not forsake my only daughter,
      Though Susie Pye has cross’d the sea.’
                                                      (_Young Beichan_)

    ‘An’ thu sall marry a proud gunner,
      An’ a proud gunner I’m sure he’ll be.’
                                   (_The Great Silkie of Sule Skerrie_)

    Rise up, rise up, brother Dives,
      And go with us to see
    A dismal place, prepared in hell,
      To sit on a serpent’s knee.
                                                  (_Dives and Lazarus_)

or, merely flat and pedestrian:

    There was slayne upon the English part
      For sooth as I you say,
    Of ninè thousand English men
      Five hundred came away.
                                                          (_Otterburn_)

But it is always unmistakable and like no other thing in poetry; in
proof of which let me offer one simple, practical test. If any man ever
steeped himself in balladry, that man was Scott, and once or twice,
as in _Proud Maisie_ and _Brignall Banks_, he came near to distil
the essence. If any man, taking the Ballad for his model, has ever
sublimated its feeling and language in a poem

            seraphically free
    From taint of personality,

that man was Coleridge and that poem his _Ancient Mariner_. If any poet
now alive can be called a ballad-writer of genius, it is the author
of _Danny Deever_ and _East and West_. But let the reader suppose a
fascicule of such poems bound up with the present collection, and he
will perceive that I could have gone no straighter way to destroy the
singularity of the book.

In claiming this singularity for the Ballad I do not seek to exalt it
above any other lyrical form. Rather I am ready to admit, out of some
experience in anthologizing, that when a ballad is set in a collection
alongside the best of Herrick, Gray, Landor, Browning--to name four
poets opposite as the poles and to say nothing of such masterwork as
Spenser’s _Epithalamion_ or Milton’s _Lycidas_--it is the ballad that
not only suffers by the apposition but suffers to a surprising degree;
so that I have sometimes been forced to reconsider my affection, and
ask ‘Are these ballads really beautiful as they have always appeared
to me?’ In truth (as I take it) the contrast is unfair to them, much
as any contrast between children and grown folk would be unfair. They
appealed to something young in the national mind, and the young still
ramp through Percy’s _Reliques_--as I hope they will through this
book--‘trailing clouds of glory,’ following the note in Elmond’s wood--

    May Margaret sits in her bower door
      Sewing her silken seam;
    She heard a note in Elmond’s wood,
      And wish’d she there had been.

    She loot the seam fa’ frae her side,
      The needle to her tae,
    And she is on to Elmond’s wood
      As fast as she could gae.

A. Q. C.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] A smaller edition of ‘Child’, excellently planned, by Helen Child
Sargent and George Lyman Kittridge, is published in England by Mr. Nutt.

[2] 1864.

[3] This does not hold of small transpositions, elisions of superfluous
words, or corrections of spelling. In these matters I have allowed
myself a free hand.

[4] _On the History of the Ballads, 1100-1500_, by W. P. Ker,
Proceedings of the British Academy, vol. iv.




CONTENTS


      PART I


      BOOK I

  NO.                                                               PAGE
   1. Thomas the Rhymer                                                1
   2. Tam Lin                                                          4
   3. Sir Cawline                                                     14
   4. Sir Aldingar                                                    20
   5. Cospatrick                                                      29
   6. Willy’s Lady                                                    36
   7. The Queen of Elfland’s Nourice                                  41
   8. Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight                                  43
   9. The Riddling Knight                                             46
  10. May Colvin                                                      47
  11. The Wee Wee Man                                                 51
  12. Alison Gross                                                    52
  13. Kemp Owyne                                                      55
  14. The Laily Worm                                                  59
  15. King Orfeo                                                      62
  16. King Henry                                                      64
  17. The Boy and the Mantle                                          68
  18. King Arthur and King Cornwall                                   75
  19. The Marriage of Sir Gawain                                      88
  20. Bonnie Annie                                                    98
  21. Brown Robyn’s Confession                                       100
  22. The Cruel Mother                                               102
  23. Binnorie                                                       104
  24. The Broomfield Hill                                            107
  25. Earl Mar’s Daughter                                            110
  26. Proud Lady Margaret                                            116
  27. Clerk Saunders                                                 118
  28. The Daemon Lover                                               123
  29. Clerk Colven                                                   126
  30. Young Hunting                                                  129
  31. The Great Silkie of Sule Skerrie                               135
  32. The Wife of Usher’s Well                                       136
  33. A Lyke-Wake Dirge                                              138
  34. The Unquiet Grave                                              140


      BOOK II

  35. Hynd Horn                                                      142
  36. Hynd Etin                                                      145
  37. Erlinton                                                       153
  38. Earl Brand                                                     157
  39. The Douglas Tragedy                                            160
  40. Glasgerion                                                     163
  41. King Estmere                                                   167
  42. Fair Annie                                                     179
  43. The Lass of Lochroyan                                          184
  44. Young Bekie                                                    193
  45. Young Beichan                                                  199
  46. Childe Waters                                                  205
  47. Childe Maurice                                                 214
  48. Brown Adam                                                     221
  49. Jellon Grame                                                   223
  50. Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard                               227
  51. Lord Ingram and Childe Vyet                                    232
  52. Fair Janet                                                     237
  53. Old Robin of Portingale                                        242
  54. Lord Thomas and Fair Annet                                     247
  55. Rose the Red and White Lily                                    253
  56. Leesome Brand                                                  262
  57. Babylon                                                        265
  58. Prince Robert                                                  267
  59. Young Andrew                                                   270
  60. The Gay Goshawk                                                275
  61. Willie’s Lyke-Wake                                             280
  62. Fair Margaret and Sweet William                                281
  63. The Twa Brothers                                               284
  64. The Cruel Brother                                              287
  65. Edward, Edward                                                 290
  66. Lord Randal                                                    292
  67. The Twa Corbies                                                293
  68. The Three Ravens                                               294


      BOOK III

  69. The Nut-Brown Maid                                             295
  70. Fause Foodrage                                                 308
  71. The Fair Flower of Northumberland                              314
  72. Young John                                                     318
  73. Lady Maisry                                                    320
  74. Bonny Bee Ho’m                                                 326
  75. Sir Patrick Spens                                              328
  76. The Lord of Lorn                                               332
  77. Edom o’ Gordon                                                 342
  78. Lamkin                                                         348
  79. Hugh of Lincoln                                                353
  80. The Heir of Linne                                              356
  81. Fair Mary of Wallington                                        361
  82. Young Waters                                                   367
  83. The Queen’s Marie                                              369
  84. The Outlaw Murray                                              374
  85. Glenlogie                                                      386
  86. Lady Elspat                                                    388
  87. Jamie Douglas                                                  390
  88. Katharine Johnstone                                            395
  89. Johnie Armstrong                                               398
  90. Clyde Water                                                    404
  91. Young Benjie                                                   409
  92. Annan Water                                                    413
  93. Rare Willie Drowned in Yarrow                                  416
  94. The Duke of Gordon’s Daughter                                  417
  95. The Bonny Earl of Murray                                       422
  96. Bonny George Campbell                                          423


      BOOK IV

  97. Judas                                                          425
  98. St. Stephen and King Herod                                     426
  99. The Maid and the Palmer                                        428
 100. The Falcon                                                     430
 101. The Cherry-Tree Carol                                          431
 102. The Carnal and the Crane                                       434
 103. Jolly Wat                                                      439
 104. I Saw Three Ships                                              442
 105. The Twelve Good Joys                                           443
 106. The Angel Gabriel                                              446
 107. The Three Kings                                                448
 108. The Innocents                                                  451
 109. Dives and Lazarus                                              455
 110. The Holy Well                                                  458
 111. The Seven Virgins                                              460


      PART II


      BOOK V

 112. Robyn and Gandelyn                                             462
 113. The Birth of Robin Hood                                        465
 114. Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough, and William of Clondesley       468
 115. A Little Geste of Robin Hood and his Meiny                     497
 116. Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne                                 575
 117. Robin Hood and the Monk                                        585
 118. Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar                                600
 119. Robin Hood and the Butcher                                     607
 120. Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford                          612
 121. Robin Hood and Alan a Dale                                     616
 122. Robin Hood and the Widow’s Three Sons                          621
 123. Robin Hood’s Golden Prize                                      626
 124. The Noble Fisherman                                            630
 125. The Death of Robin Hood                                        635


      BOOK VI

 126. Durham Field                                                   640
 127. The Battle of Otterburn                                        651
 128. Chevy Chase                                                    664
 129. Northumberland Betrayed by Douglas                             675
 130. Sir Andrew Barton                                              684
 131. The ‘George Aloe’                                              697
 132. The ‘Golden Vanity’                                            701
 133. John Dory                                                      703
 134. Willie Macintosh                                               704
 135. The Bonnie House o’ Airlie                                     705
 136. Johnnie of Cockerslee                                          707
 137. Kinmont Willie                                                 712
 138. Jock o’ the Side                                               720
 139. Hobbie Noble                                                   726
 140. Archie of Cawfield                                             732
 141. Jamie Telfer in the Fair Dodhead                               738
 142. Dick o’ the Cow                                                746
 143. Hughie the Graeme                                              757
 144. The Lochmaben Harper                                           759
 145. The Fire of Frendraught                                        763
 146. The Death of Parcy Reed                                        767
 147. Baby Livingston                                                774
 148. The Gypsy Countess                                             781
 149. The Baron of Brackley                                          783
 150. The Dowie Houms of Yarrow                                      786
 151. Lord Maxwell’s Last Goodnight                                  789
 152. Helen of Kirconnell                                            792
 153. The Lament of the Border Widow                                 793


      BOOK VII

 154. Lady Alice                                                     795
 155. Lord Lovel                                                     796
 156. The Trees so High                                              798
 157. The Brown Girl                                                 800
 158. Barbara Allen’s Cruelty                                        802
 159. The Gardener                                                   804
 160. The Lowlands o’ Holland                                        806
 161. The Spanish Lady’s Love                                        807
 162. The Bailiff’s Daughter of Islington                            811
 163. The Blind Beggar’s Daughter of Bednall-Green                   813
 164. The Loving Ballad of Lord Bateman                              825
 165. Mary Ambree                                                    829
 166. The Lady turned Serving-Man                                    832
 167. The Simple Ploughboy                                           837
 168. Cawsand Bay                                                    839
 169. The Greenland Fishery                                          841
 170. The Old Cloak                                                  843
 171. Widdicombe Fair                                                845
 172. Get Up and Bar the Door                                        847
 173. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury                          849
 174. The Children in the Wood                                       854
 175. The Suffolk Miracle                                            860
 176. Bessie Bell and Mary Gray                                      865

      INDEX OF FIRST LINES                                           867




    _Certainly, I must confesse my own barbarousnes, I neuer heard the
    olde song of_ Percy _and_ Duglas _that I found not my heart mooued
    more then with a Trumpet._

                                                     SIR PHILIP SIDNEY.




BOOK I




_1. Thomas the Rhymer_


    I

    True Thomas lay on Huntlie bank;
      A ferlie[5] he spied wi’ his e’e;
    And there he saw a ladye bright
      Come riding down by the Eildon Tree.

    II

    Her skirt was o’ the grass-green silk,
      Her mantle o’ the velvet fyne;
    At ilka tett[6] o’ her horse’s mane
      Hung fifty siller bells and nine.

    III

    True Thomas he pu’d aff his cap,
      And louted low down on his knee:
    ‘Hail to thee, Mary, Queen of Heaven!
      For thy peer on earth could never be.’

    IV

    ‘O no, O no, Thomas,’ she said,
      ‘That name does not belang to me;
    I’m but the Queen o’ fair Elfland,
      That am hither come to visit thee.

    V

    ‘Harp and carp[7], Thomas,’ she said;
      ‘Harp and carp along wi’ me;
    And if ye dare to kiss my lips,
      Sure of your bodie I will be.’

    VI

    ‘Betide me weal, betide me woe,
      That weird[8] shall never daunten me.’
    Syne he has kiss’d her rosy lips,
      All underneath the Eildon Tree.

    VII

    ‘Now ye maun go wi’ me,’ she said,
      ‘True Thomas, ye maun go wi’ me;
    And ye maun serve me seven years,
      Thro’ weal or woe as may chance to be.’

    VIII

    She’s mounted on her milk-white steed,
      She’s ta’en true Thomas up behind;
    And aye, whene’er her bridle rang,
      The steed gaed swifter than the wind.

    IX

    O they rade on, and farther on,
      The steed gaed swifter than the wind;
    Until they reach’d a desert wide,
      And living land was left behind.

    X

    ‘Light down, light down now, true Thomas,
      And lean your head upon my knee;
    Abide ye there a little space,
      And I will show you ferlies three.

    XI

    ‘O see ye not yon narrow road,
      So thick beset wi’ thorns and briers?
    That is the Path of Righteousness,
      Though after it but few inquires.

    XII

    ‘And see ye not yon braid, braid road,
      That lies across the lily leven[9]?
    That is the Path of Wickedness,
      Though some call it the Road to Heaven.

    XIII

    ‘And see ye not yon bonny road
      That winds about the fernie brae?
    That is the Road to fair Elfland,
      Where thou and I this night maun gae.

    XIV

    ‘But, Thomas, ye sall haud your tongue,
      Whatever ye may hear or see;
    For speak ye word in Elflyn-land,
      Ye’ll ne’er win back to your ain countrie.’

    XV

    O they rade on, and farther on,
      And they waded rivers abune the knee;
    And they saw neither sun nor moon,
      But they heard the roaring of the sea.

    XVI

    It was mirk, mirk night, there was nae starlight,
      They waded thro’ red blude to the knee;
    For a’ the blude that’s shed on the earth
      Rins through the springs o’ that countrie.

    XVII

    Syne they came to a garden green,
      And she pu’d an apple frae a tree:
    ‘Take this for thy wages, true Thomas;
      It will give thee the tongue that can never lee.’

    XVIII

    ‘My tongue is my ain,’ true Thomas he said;
      ‘A gudely gift ye wad gie to me!
    I neither dought[10] to buy or sell
      At fair or tryst where I might be.

    XIX

    ‘I dought neither speak to prince or peer,
      Nor ask of grace from fair ladye!’--
    ‘Now haud thy peace, Thomas,’ she said,
      ‘For as I say, so must it be.’

    XX

    He has gotten a coat of the even cloth[11],
      And a pair o’ shoon of the velvet green;
    And till seven years were gane and past,
      True Thomas on earth was never seen.

FOOTNOTES:

[5] ferlie = marvel.

[6] tett = tuft.

[7] harp and carp = play and recite (as a minstrel).

[8] weird = doom.

[9] leven =? lawn.

[10] dought = could.

[11] even cloth = smooth cloth.




_2. Tam Lin_


    I

    ‘O I forbid you, maidens a’,
      That wear gowd on your hair,
    To come or gae by Carterhaugh,
      For young Tam Lin is there.

    II

    ‘For even about that knight’s middle
      O’ siller bells are nine;
    And nae maid comes to Carterhaugh
      And a maid returns again.’

    III

    Fair Janet sat in her bonny bower,
      Sewing her silken seam,
    And wish’d to be in Carterhaugh
      Amang the leaves sae green.

    IV

    She’s lat her seam fa’ to her feet,
      The needle to her tae[12],
    And she’s awa’ to Carterhaugh
      As fast as she could gae.

    V

    And she has kilted her green kirtle
      A little abune her knee;
    And she has braided her yellow hair
      A little abune her bree[13];
    And she has gaen for Carterhaugh
      As fast as she can hie.

    VI

    She hadna pu’d a rose, a rose,
      A rose but barely ane,
    When up and started young Tam Lin;
      Says, ‘Ladye, let alane.

    VII

    ‘What gars ye pu’ the rose, Janet?
      What gars ye break the tree?
    What gars ye come to Carterhaugh
      Without the leave o’ me?’

    VIII

    ‘Weel may I pu’ the rose,’ she says,
      ‘And ask no leave at thee;
    For Carterhaugh it is my ain,
      My daddy gave it me.’

    IX

    He’s ta’en her by the milk-white hand,
      And by the grass-green sleeve,
    He’s led her to the fairy ground
      At her he ask’d nae leave.

    X

    Janet has kilted her green kirtle
      A little abune her knee,
    And she has snooded her yellow hair
      A little abune her bree,
    And she is to her father’s ha’
      As fast as she can hie.

    XI

    But when she came to her father’s ha’,
      She look’d sae wan and pale,
    They thought the lady had gotten a fright,
      Or with sickness she did ail.

    XII

    Four and twenty ladies fair
      Were playing at the ba’,
    And out then came fair Janet
      Ance the flower amang them a’.

    XIII

    Four and twenty ladies fair
      Were playing at the chess,
    And out then came fair Janet
      As green as onie glass.

    XIV

    Out then spak’ an auld grey knight
      ’Lay owre the Castle wa’,
    And says, ‘Alas, fair Janet!
      For thee we’ll be blamèd a’.’

    XV

    ‘Hauld your tongue, ye auld-faced knight,
      Some ill death may ye die!
    Father my bairn on whom I will,
      I’ll father nane on thee.

    XVI

    ‘O if my love were an earthly knight,
      As he is an elfin gay,
    I wadna gie my ain true-love
      For nae laird that ye hae.

    XVII

    ‘The steed that my true-love rides on
      Is fleeter nor the wind;
    Wi’ siller he is shod before,
      Wi’ burning gold behind.’

    XVIII

    Out then spak’ her brither dear--
      He meant to do her harm:
    ‘There grows an herb in Carterhaugh
      Will twine[14] you an’ the bairn.’

    XIX

    Janet has kilted her green kirtle
      A little abune her knee,
    And she has snooded her yellow hair
      A little abune her bree,
    And she’s awa’ to Carterhaugh
      As fast as she can hie.

    XX

    She hadna pu’d a leaf, a leaf,
      A leaf but only twae,
    When up and started young Tam Lin,
      Says, ‘Ladye, thou’s pu’ nae mae.

    XXI

    ‘How dar’ ye pu’ a leaf?’ he says,
      ‘How dar’ ye break the tree?
    How dar’ ye scathe[15] my babe,’ he says,
      ‘That’s between you and me?’

    XXII

    ‘O tell me, tell me, Tam,’ she says,
      ‘For His sake that died on tree,
    If ye were ever in holy chapel
      Or sain’d[16] in Christentie?’

    XXIII

    ‘The truth I’ll tell to thee, Janet,
      Ae word I winna lee;
    A knight me got, and a lady me bore,
      As well as they did thee.

    XXIV

    ‘Roxburgh he was my grandfather,
      Took me with him to bide;
    And ance it fell upon a day,
      As hunting I did ride,

    XXV

    ‘There came a wind out o’ the north,
      A sharp wind an’ a snell[17],
    A dead sleep it came over me
      And frae my horse I fell;
    And the Queen o’ Fairies she took me
      In yon green hill to dwell.

    XXVI

    ‘And pleasant is the fairy land
      For those that in it dwell,
    But ay at end of seven years
      They pay a teind[18] to hell;
    I am sae fair and fu’ o’ flesh
      I’m fear’d ’twill be mysell.

    XXVII

    ‘But the night is Hallowe’en, Janet,
      The morn is Hallowday;
    Then win me, win me, an ye will,
      For weel I wat ye may.

    XXVIII

    ‘The night it is gude Hallowe’en,
      The fairy folk do ride,
    And they that wad their true-love win,
      At Miles Cross they maun bide.’--

    XXIX

    ‘But how should I you ken, Tam Lin,
      How should I borrow[19] you,
    Amang a pack of uncouth[20] knights
      The like I never saw?’--

    XXX

    ‘You’ll do you down to Miles Cross
      Between twel’ hours and ane,
    And fill your hands o’ the holy water
      And cast your compass roun’.

    XXXI

    ‘The first company that passes by,
      Say na, and let them gae;
    The neist company that passes by,
      Say na, and do right sae;
    The third company that passes by,
      Then I’ll be ane o’ thae.

    XXXII

    ‘O first let pass the black, ladye,
      And syne let pass the brown;
    But quickly run to the milk-white steed,
      Pu’ ye his rider down.

    XXXIII

    ‘For some ride on the black, ladye,
      And some ride on the brown;
    But I ride on a milk-white steed,
      A gowd star on my crown:
    Because I was an earthly knight
      They gie me that renown.

    XXXIV

    ‘My right hand will be gloved, ladye,
      My left hand will be bare,
    And thae’s the tokens I gie thee:
      Nae doubt I will be there.

    XXXV

    ‘Ye’ll tak’ my horse then by the head
      And let the bridle fa’;
    The Queen o’ Elfin she’ll cry out
      “True Tam Lin he’s awa’!”

    XXXVI

    ‘They’ll turn me in your arms, ladye,
      An aske[21] but and a snake;
    But hauld me fast, let me na gae,
      To be your warldis make[22].

    XXXVII

    ‘They’ll turn me in your arms, ladye,
      But and a deer so wild;
    But hauld me fast, let me na gae,
      The father o’ your child.

    XXXVIII

    ‘They’ll shape me in your arms, ladye,
      A hot iron at the fire;
    But hauld me fast, let me na go,
      To be your heart’s desire.

    XXXIX

    ‘They’ll shape me last in your arms, Janet,
      A mother-naked man;
    Cast your green mantle over me,
      And sae will I be won.’

    XL

    Janet has kilted her green kirtle
      A little abune the knee;
    And she has snooded her yellow hair
      A little abune her bree,
    And she is on to Miles Cross
      As fast as she can hie.

    XLI

    About the dead hour o’ the night
      She heard the bridles ring;
    And Janet was as glad at that
      As any earthly thing.

    XLII

    And first gaed by the black, black steed,
      And syne gaed by the brown;
    But fast she gript the milk-white steed
      And pu’d the rider down.

    XLIII

    She’s pu’d him frae the milk-white steed,
      An’ loot[23] the bridle fa’,
    And up there rase an eldritch[24] cry,
      ‘True Tam Lin he’s awa’!’

    XLIV

    They shaped him in her arms twa
      An aske but and a snake;
    But aye she grips and hau’ds him fast
      To be her warldis make.

    XLV

    They shaped him in her arms twa
      But and a deer sae wild;
    But aye she grips and hau’ds him fast,
      The father o’ her child.

    XLVI

    They shaped him in her arms twa
      A hot iron at the fire;
    But aye she grips and hau’ds him fast
      To be her heart’s desire.

    XLVII

    They shaped him in her arms at last
      A mother-naked man;
    She cast her mantle over him,
      And sae her love she wan.

    XLVIII

    Up then spak’ the Queen o’ Fairies,
      Out o’ a bush o’ broom,
    ‘She that has borrow’d young Tam Lin
      Has gotten a stately groom.’

    XLIX

    Out then spak’ the Queen o’ Fairies,
      And an angry woman was she,
    ‘She’s ta’en awa’ the bonniest knight
      In a’ my companie!

    L

    ‘But what I ken this night, Tam Lin,
      Gin I had kent yestreen,
    I wad ta’en out thy heart o’ flesh,
      And put in a heart o’ stane.

    LI

    ‘And adieu, Tam Lin! But gin I had kent
      A ladye wad borrow’d thee,
    I wad ta’en out thy twa grey e’en
      Put in twa e’en o’ tree[25].

    LII

    ‘And had I the wit yestreen, yestreen,
      That I have coft[26] this day,
    I’d paid my teind seven times to hell
      Ere you had been won away!’

FOOTNOTES:

[12] tae = toe.

[13] bree = eye-brow.

[14] twine = part, sunder.

[15] scathe = harm.

[16] sain’d = blessed, baptised.

[17] snell = keen, cold.

[18] teind = tithe.

[19] borrow = ransom.

[20] uncouth = unknown.

[21] aske = newt, lizard.

[22] make = mate, husband.

[23] loot = let.

[24] eldritch = unearthly.

[25] tree = wood.

[26] coft = bought.




_3. Sir Cawline_


    I

    _Jesus, Lord mickle of might,
      That dyed for us on roode,
    So maintaine us in all our right
      That loves true English blood!_

    II

    Sir Cawline [was an English knight]
      Curteous and full hardye;
    [And our King has lent him] forth to fight,
      Into Ireland over the sea.

    III

    And in that land there dwells a King,
      Over all the bell does beare;
    And he hath a ladye to his daughter,
      Of fashion[27] she hath no peere;
    Knights and lordes they woo’d her both,
      Trusted to have been her feere[28].

    IV

    Sir Cawline loves her best of onie,
      But nothing durst he say
    To discreeve[29] his councell to no man,
      But dearlye loved this may[30].

    V

    Till it befell upon a day,
      Great dill[31] to him was dight[32];
    The mayden’s love removed his mind,
      To care-bed[33] went the knight.

    VI

    One while he spread his armes him fro,
      And cryed so pittyouslye:
    ‘For the mayden’s love that I have most minde
      This day shall comfort mee,
    Or else ere noone I shall be dead!’
      Thus can Sir Cawline say.

    VII

    When the parish mass that itt was done,
      And the King was bowne[34] to dine,
    Says, ‘Where is Sir Cawline, that was wont
      To serve me with ale and wine?’

    VIII

    But then answer’d a curteous knight
      Fast his hands wringìnge:
    ‘Sir Cawline’s sicke and like to be dead
      Without and a good leechìnge[35].’

    IX

    ‘Feitch ye downe my daughter deere,
      She is a leeche full fine;
    Ay, and take you doe and the baken bread,
      And [drinke he of] the wine soe red,
    And looke no daynty’s for him too deare,
      For full loth I wo’ld him tine[36].’

    X

    This ladye is gone to his chamber,
      Her maydens following nye;
    ‘O well,’ she saith, ‘how doth my lord?’
      ‘O sicke!’ againe saith hee.

    XI

    ‘But rise up wightlye[37], man, for shame!
      Ne’er lie here soe cowardlye!
    Itt is told in my father’s hall
      For my love you will dye.’--

    XII

    ‘Itt is for your love, fayre ladye,
      That all this dill I drie;
    For if you wo’ld comfort me with a kisse,
    Then were I brought from bale to bliss,
      No longer here wo’ld I lye.’--

    XIII

    ‘Alas! soe well you know, Sir Knight,
      I cannot be your feere.’--
    ‘Yet some deeds of armes fain wo’ld I doe
      To be your bacheleere.’--

    XIV

    ‘On Eldritch Hill there grows a thorn,
      Upon the mores[38] brodinge[39];
    And wo’ld you, Sir Knight, wake there all night
      To day of the other morninge?

    XV

    ‘For the Eldritch King, that is mickle of might,
      Will examine[40] you beforne[41]:
    There was never a man bare his life away
      Since the day that I was born.’--

    XVI

    ‘But I will for your sake, ladye,
      Walk on the bents[42] soe browne,
    And I’ll either bring you a readye token,
      Or I’ll ne’er come to you again.’

    XVII

    But this ladye is gone to her chamber,
      Her maydens following bright;
    And Sir Cawline’s gone to the mores soe broad,
      For to wake there all night.

    XVIII

    Unto midnight that the moone did rise
      He walkèd up and downe,
    And a lightsome bugle then heard he blow
      Over the bents so browne;
    Sayes he, ‘And if cryance[43] come to my heart,
      I am farr from any good towne.’

    XIX

    And he spyèd, e’en a little him by,
      A furyous king and a fell,
    And a ladye bright his brydle led
      [More] seemlye [than onie can tell].

    XX

    Soe fast he call’d on Sir Cawline,
      ‘O man, I rede thee flye!
    For if cryance come untill thy heart
      I’m afeard lest thou maun dye!’--

    XXI

    He sayes, ‘No cryance comes to my heart,
      Nor i’faith I fear not thee;
    For because thou ming’d[44] not Christ before,
      The lesse me dreadeth thee.’

    XXII

    But Sir Cawline then he shooke a speare;
      The King was bold, and abode:
    And the timber those two children bare
      Soe soon in sunder slode[45]:
    Forth they tooke and two good swords,
      And they layden on good loade[46].

    XXIII

    The Eldritch King was mickle of might,
      And stiffly to the ground did stand;
    But Sir Cawline with an aukeward[47] stroke
      He brought from him his hand--
    Ay, and flying over his head so hye
      It fell down of that lay land[48].

    XXIV

    His ladye stood a little thereby,
      Fast her hands wringìnge:
    ‘For the mayden’s love that you have most minde,
      Smyte you noe more [this King].

    XXV

    ‘And he’s never[49] come upon Eldritch Hill
      Him to sport, gammon or play,
    And to meet no man of middle-earth[50]
      That lives on Christ his lay[51].’

    XXVI

    But he then up, that Eldritch King,
      Set him in his sadle againe,
    And that Eldritch King and his ladye
      To their castle are they gone.

    XXVII

    Sir Cawline took up that eldritch sword
      As hard as any flynt,
    Soe did he [the hand with] ringès five
      Harder than fyer, and brent[52].

    XXVIII

    The watchmen cryed upon the walls
      And sayd, ‘Sir Cawline’s slaine!’
    Then the King’s daughter she fell downe,
      ‘For peerlesse is my payne!’--

    XXIX

    ‘O peace, my ladye!’ sayes Sir Cawline,
      ‘I have bought thy love full deare;
    O peace, my ladye!’ sayes Sir Cawline,
      ‘Peace, ladye, for I am heere!’

    XXX

    He’s presented to the King’s daughter
      The hand, and then the sword
    [And he has claimed the King’s daughter
      According to her word].

    XXXI

    And the King has betaken[53] him his broad lands
      And all his venison[54];
    [Sayes] ‘Thou shalt have my daughter deare,
      [And be my onelye son’].

FOOTNOTES:

[27] fashion = form, beauty.

[28] feere = mate, consort.

[29] discreeve = discover.

[30] may = maid.

[31] dill = dole, grief.

[32] dight = ordained.

[33] care-bed = sick-bed.

[34] bowne = made ready, gone.

[35] without and, &c. = unless he have a good leech, or physician.

[36] tine = lose.

[37] wightlye = briskly, stoutly.

[38] mores = moors.

[39] brodinge = growing, sprouting.

[40] examine = put to the test.

[41] beforne = before (morning).

[42] bents = rough grasses.

[43] cryance = yielding, cowardice.

[44] ming’d = mentioned, spoke the name of.

[45] slode = split.

[46] good loade = heavily.

[47] aukeward = back-handed.

[48] lay land = lea, land not under cultivation; here = ground.

[49] he’s never = he will never.

[50] middle-earth = this earth, as midway between heaven and hell.

[51] lay = law, faith.

[52] brent = smooth.

[53] betaken = given, made over.

[54] venison = i. e. deer-forests.




_4. Sir Aldingar_


    I

    Our King he kept a false steward,
      Men call’d him Sir Aldingar;
    [He would have woo’d our comely Queene
      To be his paramour].

    II

    He would have woo’d our comely Queene,
      Her deere worship to betray:
    Our Queene she was a good woman
      And evermore said him nay.

    III

    Sir Aldingar was offended in ’s mind,
      With her he was ne’er content,
    But he sought what meanès he could find
      In a fyer to have her brent[55].

    IV

    There came a lame lazar to the King’s gate,
      A lazar ’was blind and lame;
    He took the lazar upon his backe,
      Upon the Queene’s bed did him lay.

    V

    Said, ‘Lye still, lazar, whereas thou lyest,
      Looke thou goe not away;
    I’le make thee a whole man and a sound
      In two howres of a day.’

    VI

    And then went forth Sir Aldingar
      Our Queene for to betray,
    And then he met with our comely King,
      Says, ‘God you save and see!

    VII

    ‘If I had space, as I have grace,
      A message I’d say to thee.’--
    ‘Say on, say on, Sir Aldingar,
      Say thou on and unto me.’

    VIII

    ‘I can shew you one of the grievous’t sights
      Ever Christian King did see;
    Our Queene hath chosen a new, new love,
      She will have none of thee.

    IX

    ‘If she had chosen a right good knight,
      The lesse had beene her shame;
    But she hath chosen a lazar man
      Which is both blind and lame.’--

    X

    ‘If this be true, Sir Aldingar,
      That thou dost tell to me,
    Then will I make thee a rich knight
      Both of gold and fee.

    XI

    ‘But if it be false, Sir Aldingar,
      That thou dost tell to me,
    Then looke thou for no other death
      But to be hang’d on tree.’

    XII

    When the King came into the Queene’s chamber,
      Standing her bed before,
    ‘There’s a lodly[56] lome[57],’ says Harry the King
      For our dame Queene Elinor!

    XIII

    ‘If thou were a man, as thou art none,
      It is here thou shouldest dye;
    But a paire of new gallowes shall be built,
      Thou’st hang on them soe hye.

    XIV

    ‘And a fayre fyer there shall be bett[58],
      And brent our Queene shall been.’
    Forth then walk’d our comely King,
      And met with our comely Queene.

    XV

    Saies, ‘God you save our Queene, Madam,
      And Christ you save and see!
    Here you have chosen a new, new love,
      And you will have none of mee.

    XVI

    ‘If you had chosen a right good knight,
      The lesse had beene your shame;
    But you have chosen a lazar man
      That is both blind and lame.’

    XVII

    ‘Ever alacke!’ said our comely Queene,
      ‘Sir Aldingar he is false;
    But ever alacke!’ said our comely Queene,
      ‘And woe is me, and alas!

    XVIII

    ‘I had thought swevens[59] had never been true
      I have proved them true [today]:
    I dream’d in my swevens on Thursday at even
      In my bed wheras I lay,

    XIX

    ‘I dreamèd a grype[60] and a grimlie beast
      Had carried my crowne away,
    My gorget and my kirtle of golde,
      And all my heade-geare [gay].

    XX

    ‘He wo’ld have worryed me with his tush[61],
      And borne me into his nest,
    Saving there came a little hawke
      Flying out of the east.

    XXI

    ‘--Saving there came a little hawke
      Which men call a merlion[62];
    He stroke him downe untill the ground,
      That deade he did fall downe.

    XXII

    ‘Gif I were a man, as I am none,
      A battell I wo’ld prove;
    I wo’ld fight with that false traitor;
      At him I cast my glove!

    XXIII

    ‘Seeing I am able noe battell to make,
      You must grant me, my liege, a knight,
    To fight with that traitor, Sir Aldingar,
      To maintaine me in my right.’

    XXIV

    ‘I’le give thee forty dayes,’ said our King,
      ‘To seeke thee a man therein;
    If thou find not a man in forty dayes,
      In a hott fyer thou shalt brenn.’

    XXV

    Our Queene sent forth a messenger;
      He rode fast into the south;
    He rode the countryes through and through
      Soe far unto Portsmouth.

    XXVI

    [But for all his riding ne’er sped he
      To fetch help to our Queene;]
    He co’ld find noe man in the south countrỳ
      ‘Wo’ld fight with the knight soe keene.

    XXVII

    The second messenger shee sent forth,
      Rode far into the east;
    But--blessèd be God ’made sunn and moone!--
      He sped then all of the best.

    XXVIII

    As he rode then by one river side,
      There he mett with a little Child;
    He seemèd noe more in a man’s likenesse
      Than a child of four yeeres old.

    XXIX

    He ask’d the messenger how far he rode;
      Loth he was him to tell;
    The little one was offended att him,
      Bade him adieu, farewell.

    XXX

    Said, ‘Turne thou againe, thou messenger,
      Greete our Queen well from me;
    When bale[63] is at hyest, boote[64] is at nyest--
      Helpe enough there may bee.

    XXXI

    ‘Bid our Queene remember what she did dreame
      In her bedd wheras shee lay;
    She dreamèd the grype and the grimlie beast
      Had carryed her crowne away;

    XXXII

    ‘Her gorgett and her kirtle of gold,
      Her head-geare [all soe drest]
    He wo’ld have worryed her with his tush,
      And borne her into his nest.

    XXXIII

    ‘Saving there came a little hawke,
      Men call him a merlion;
    ‘Did strike him downe untill the ground
      That dead he did fall downe.

    XXXIV

    ‘Bidd the Queene be merry att her heart,
      Evermore light and glad;
    When bale is at hyest, boote is at nyest,
      Helpe enough [shall be had’].

    XXXV

    Then the Queen’s messenger rode backe,
      A gladded man then was hee;
    When that he came before our Queene,
      A gladd woman then was shee.

    XXXVI

    She gave the messenger twenty pound,
      O Lord, in gold and fee;
    Saies, ‘Spend, nor spare while this doth last,
      Then fetch thou more of me.’

    XXXVII

    Our Queene was put in a tunne[65] to burn;
      She thought noe thing but death:
    When they were ware of the Little One
      ’Came ryding forth of the east.

    XXXVIII

    With a mu[le and a bridle all of bells]
      A lovelye child was hee;
    When that he came to that fyér
      He lighted the Queene full nigh.

    XXXIX

    Sayd, ‘Draw away these brands of fyer
      ’Lie burning before our Queene,
    And fetch me hither Sir Aldingar
      That is a knight soe keene.’

    XL

    When Aldingar saw that Little One,
      Full little of him hee thought;
    If there had been halfe a hundred such
      Of them he would not have wrought[66].

    XLI

    He sayd, ‘Come hither, Sir Aldingar,
      Thou seemest as big as a fooder[67];
    I trust God ere I have done with thee
      God will send us an auger.’

    XLII

    Sayes, ‘The first stroke that’s given, Sir Aldingar,
      I will give unto thee;
    And if the second give thou may,
      Looke then thou spare not mee.’

    XLIII

    This Little One pull’d forth a well good sword,
      I wis it well all of gilte.
    It cast a light there over that field,
      It shone soe all of gilte.

    XLIV

    He stroke the first stroke at Aldingar;
      [Noe second needed hee;
    At the first stroke] he stroke away
      His leggs [all] by the knee.

    XLV

    Sayes, ‘Stand up, stand up, thou false traitor,
      And fight upon thy feete;
    For, an thou thrive as thou begins,
      Of a height we shall be meete[68].’

    XLVI

    ‘A priest, a priest,’ sayes Aldingar,
      ‘Me for to housel and shrive!
    A priest, a priest,’ sayes Aldingar,
      ‘While I am a man living alive!

    XLVII

    ‘I would have courted our comely Queene;
      To it shee wo’ld never consent;
    I thought to betray her to our King
      In a fyer to have her brent.

    XLVIII

    ‘There came a lame lazar to the King’s gate,
      A lazar both blind and lame;
    I took the lazar upon my back,
      Upon the Queene’s bedd had him layn.

    XLIX

    ‘I bade him, _Lye still, lazar_, where he lay,
      Looke he went not away;
    I wo’ld make him a whole man and a sound
      In two houres of a day.

    L

    ‘A priest, a priest,’ sayes Aldingar,
      ‘To shrive me cleane of hell!
    Ever alacke!’ sayes Sir Aldingar,
      ‘Falsing never doth well.

    LI

    ‘Forgive, forgive me, Queene, Madam!
      For Christ’s love forgive me!’--
    ‘God forgave his death, Aldingar,
      And freely I forgive thee.’--

    LII

    ‘Now take thy wife, thou King Harry,
      And love her as thou sho’ld;
    Thy wife shee is as true to thee
      As stone lies in castle wall.’

    LIII

    The lazar under the gallow tree
      [Grew] a pretty man and small:
    The lazar under the gallow tree
      Was made steward in King Harry’s hall.

FOOTNOTES:

[55] brent = burnt.

[56] lodly = loathly.

[57] lome = thing.

[58] bett = kindled.

[59] swevens = dreams.

[60] grype = gryphon.

[61] tush = tusk, beak.

[62] merlion = merlin, a small falcon.

[63] bale = evil, trouble.

[64] boote = help, remedy.

[65] tunne = barrel.

[66] wrought = recked.

[67] fooder = tun.

[68] meete = matched, equal.




_5. Cospatrick_


    I

    Cospatrick has sent o’er the faem:
    Cospatrick brought his ladye hame.

    II

    Full seven score ships have come her wi’,
    The ladye by the grene-wood tree.

    III

    There was twal’ and twal’ wi’ baken bread,
    And twal’ and twal’ wi’ the goud sae red:

    IV

    And twal’ and twal’ wi’ beer and wine,
    And twal’ and twal’ wi’ muskadine:

    V

    And twal’ and twal’ wi’ bouted[69] flour,
    And twal’ and twal’ wi’ paramour[70].

    VI

    Sweet Willy was a Widow’s son,
    And at her stirrup he did run.

    VII

    And she was clad in the finest pall[71],
    But aye she let the tears down fall.

    VIII

    ‘O lady, sits your saddle awry?
    Or is your steed for you owre high?

    IX

    ‘Or are you mourning in your tide
    That you suld be Cospatrick’s bride?’

    X

    ‘I am not mourning at this tide
    That I suld be Cospatrick’s bride:

    XI

    ‘But I am mourning in my mood
    That ever I left my mother good.

    XII

    ‘But, bonny boy, come tell to me
    What is the custom o’ your countrie?’

    XIII

    ‘The custom thereof, my dame,’ he says,
    ‘Will ill a gentle ladye please.

    XIV

    ‘Seven King’s daughters has our lord wedded,
    And seven King’s daughters has our lord bedded:

    XV

    ‘But he’s cutted their breasts frae their breast-bane,
    And sent them mourning hame again.

    XVI

    ‘But when you come to the palace yett[72],
    His mother a gowden chair will set:

    XVII

    ‘And be you maid or be you nane,
    O sit you there till the day be dane.

    XVIII

    ‘And gin you’re sure that you’re a maid,
    Ye may gae safely him to wed:

    XIX

    ‘But gif o’ that ye be na sure,
    Then hire some damsel o’ your bour.’--

    XX

    O when she came to the palace yett,
    His mother a gowden chair did set:

    XXI

    The bonnie may was tired wi’ ridin’,
    Gae’d sit her down ere she was bidden.

    XXII

    And was she maid or was she nane,
    She sat in it till the day was dune.

    XXIII

    And she’s call’d on her bour-woman,
    That waiting was into[73] her train:

    XXIV

    ‘Five thousand marks I’ll gie to thee,
    To sleep this night with my lord for me.’--

    XXV

    [‘But will it for my ladye plead,
    I’se be the bride in my ladye’s stead.’]--

    XXVI

    When bells were rung and mass was sayne,
    And a’ men unto bed were gane,

    XXVII

    Cospatrick and the bonny maid
    Into ae chamber they were laid.

    XXVIII

    ‘Now speak to me, blankets, and speak to me, bed,
    And speak, thou sheet, inchanted web,

    XXIX

    ‘And speak, my brown sword, that winna lee[74],
    Is this a leal maiden that lies by me?’

    XXX

    ‘It is not a maid that you hae wedded,
    But it is a maid that you hae bedded:

    XXXI

    ‘It is a leal maiden that lies by thee,
    But not the maiden that it should be.’

    XXXII

    Then out he sprang o’ his bridal bed,
    And wrathfully his claiths on did:

    XXXIII

    And he has ta’en him through the ha’,
    And on his mother he did ca’.

    XXXIV

    ‘I am the most unhappy man
    That ever was in Christen land:

    XXXV

    ‘I courted a maiden meik and mild,
    And I’ve gat but a woman great wi’ child.’--

    XXXVI

    ‘O stay, my son, into this ha’,
    And sport ye wi’ your merry men a’.

    XXXVII

    ‘And I’ll gang to your painted bour,
    To see how it fares wi’ your paramour.’

    XXXVIII

    The carline[75] queen was stark and strang
    She gar’d the door flee aff the ban[76].

    XXXIX

    ‘O is your bairn to laird or loun[77],
    Or is it to your father’s groom?’--

    XL

    ‘O hear me, mother, on my knee,
    Till my sad story I tell to thee.

    XLI

    ‘O we were sisters, sisters seven;
    We were the fairest under heaven.

    XLII

    ‘We had nae mair for our seven years’ wark
    But to shape and sew the King’s son a sark.

    XLIII

    ‘It fell on a summer’s afternoon,
    When a’ our langsome task was done,

    XLIV

    ‘We cast the kevils[78] us amang
    To see which suld to the grene-wood gang.

    XLV

    ‘Ohone, alas! for I was the youngest,
    And aye my weird it was the hardest.

    XLVI

    ‘The kevil it did on me fa’,
    Which was the cause of a’ my wae.

    XLVII

    ‘For to the grene-wood I must gae,
    To pu’ the red rose and the slae;

    XLVIII

    ‘To pu’ the red rose and the thyme
    To deck my mother’s bour and mine.

    XLIX

    ‘I hadna pu’d a flower but ane,
    When by there came a gallant hende[79],

    L

    ‘Wi’ high-coll’d[80] hose and laigh-coll’d shoon,
    And he seem’d to be some Kingis son.

    LI

    ‘And be I a maid, or be I nae,
    He kept me there till the close o’ day:

    LII

    ‘And be I a maid or be I nane,
    He kept me there till the day was done.

    LIII

    ‘He gae me a lock o’ his yellow hair,
    And bade me keep it for ever mair:

    LIV

    ‘He gae me a carknet[81] o’ bonny beads,
    And bade me keep it against my needs.

    LV

    ‘He gae to me a gay gold ring,
    And bade me keep it abune a’ thing.

    LVI

    ‘He gae to me a little pen-knife,
    And bade me keep it as my life.’--

    LVII

    ‘What did you wi’ the tokens rare
    That ye got frae that gallant there?’--

    LVIII

    ‘O bring that coffer here to me,
    And a’ the tokens ye sall see.’

    LIX

    And aye she sought, and aye she flang[82]
    Until these four things cam’ to her hand.

    LX

    ‘Now stay here, daughter, your bour within,
    Till I gae parley with my son.’

    LXI

    O she has ta’en her thro’ the ha’,
    And on her son began to ca’.

    LXII

    ‘What did you wi’ that gay gold ring
    I bade you keep abune a’ thing?

    LXIII

    ‘What did you wi’ that little pen-knife
    I bade you keep while you had life?

    LXIV

    ‘What did you wi’ the bonny beads
    I bade you keep against your needs?’--

    LXV

    ‘I gae them to a ladye gay
    I met i’ the grene-wood on a day.

    LXVI

    ‘But I wad gie a’ my ha’s and tours,
    I had that bright burd in my bours:

    LXVII

    ‘But I wad gie my very life
    I had that ladye to my wife!’

    LXVIII

    ‘Now keep, my son, your ha’s and tours;
    Ye have that bright burd in your bours.

    LXIX

    ‘And keep, my son, your very life,
    Ye have that ladye to your wife.’

    LXX

    Now, or a month was come and gane,
    The ladye bore him a bonny son.

    LXXI

    And it was well written on his breast-bane,
    ‘Cospatrick is my father’s name.’

    LXXII

    _O rowe[83] my ladye in satin and silk,
    And wash my son in the morning milk!_

FOOTNOTES:

[69] bouted = bolted, sifted.

[70] paramour = _meaning here uncertain_.

[71] pall = fine cloth.

[72] yett = gate.

[73] into = in.

[74] lee = lie.

[75] carline = old woman.

[76] ban = band, hinge.

[77] laird or loun = squire or common fellow.

[78] kevils = lots.

[79] hende = courteous youth.

[80] high-coll’d, laigh-coll’d = high-cut, low-cut.

[81] carknet = necklace.

[82] flang = flung about, rummaged violently.

[83] rowe = roll, wrap.




_6. Willy’s Lady_


    I

    Sweet Willy’s ta’en him o’er the faem,
    He’s woo’d a wife and brought her hame.

    II

    He’s woo’d her for her yellow hair,
    But his mither wrought her mickle care;

    III

    And mickle dolour gar’d her drie[84],
    For lighter[85] she can never be.

    IV

    But in her bower she sits wi’ pain,
    And Willy mourns o’er her in vain.

    V

    And to his mither he has gane;
    That vile rank witch of vilest kind.

    VI

    He says: ‘My ladie has a cup
    Wi’ gowd and silver set about.

    VII

    ‘This goodlie gift shall be your ain,
    And let her be lighter o’ her young bairn.’--

    VIII

    ‘Of her young bairn she’ll ne’er be lighter,
    Nor in her bower to shine the brighter:

    IX

    ‘But she shall die and turn to clay,
    And you shall wed another may.’--

    X

    ‘Another may I’ll marry nane,
    Another may I’ll ne’er bring hame.’

    XI

    But sighing says his bonnie wife,
    ‘I wish this was an end o’ my life!

    XII

    ‘Yet gae ye unto your mither again,
    That vile rank witch of vilest kind.

    XIII

    ‘And say: My ladie has a steed,
    The like o’ him ’s no in the lands of Leed.

    XIV

    ‘For at ilka tett[86] o’ that horse’s mane
    There’s a golden chess[87] and a bell ringíng.

    XV

    ‘This goodlie gift shall be your ain,
    And let her be lighter o’ her young bairn.’--

    XVI

    ‘O’ her young bairn she’ll ne’er be lighter,
    Nor in her bower to shine the brighter;

    XVII

    ‘But she shall die and turn to clay,
    And ye shall wed another may.’--

    XVIII

    ‘Another may I’ll marry nane,
    Another may I’ll ne’er bring hame.’

    XIX

    But sighing says his bonnie wife,
    ‘I wish this was an end o’ my life!

    XX

    ‘Yet gae ye unto your mither again,
    That vile rank witch of vilest kind:

    XXI

    ‘And say: My ladie has a girdle,
    It’s a’ red gowd unto the middle.

    XXII

    ‘And ay at every silver hem
    Hangs fifty silver bells and ten.

    XXIII

    ‘That goodlie gift shall be your ain,
    But let her be lighter o’ her young bairn.’--

    XXIV

    ‘O’ her young bairn she’s ne’er be lighter,
    Nor in her bower to shine the brighter:

    XXV

    ‘But she shall die and turn to clay,
    And you shall wed another may.’--

    XXVI

    ‘Another may I’ll never wed nane,
    Another may I’ll never bring hame.’

    XXVII

    But sighing says his bonnie wife,
    ‘I wish this was an end o’ my life!’

    XXVIII

    Then out and spake the Billy Blind[88]--
    He spake aye in a good time;

    XXIX

    ‘Ye doe ye to the market-place,
    And there buy ye a loaf o’ wax;

    XXX

    ‘Ye shape it bairn and bairnly like,
    And in twa glasses e’en ye’ll pit[89].

    XXXI

    ‘And do ye to your mither then,
    And bid her come to your boy’s christ’nen,

    XXXII

    ‘For dear’s the boy he’s been to you:
    Then notice weel what she shall do:

    XXXIII

    ‘And do you stand a little away,
    And listen weel what she shall say.’

    XXXIV

    He did him to the market-place,
    And there he bought a loaf o’ wax.

    XXXV

    He shaped it bairn and bairnly-like,
    And in ’t twa glasses e’en he pat[90].

    XXXVI

    He did him till his mither then,
    And bade her to his boy’s christ’nen.

    XXXVII

    And he did stand a little forbye[91],
    And noticed well what she did say.

    XXXVIII

    ‘O wha has loosed the nine witch-knots
    That was among that ladie’s locks?

    XXXIX

    ‘And wha has ta’en out the kaims[92] o’ care
    That hangs among that ladie’s hair?

    XL

    ‘And wha’s ta’en down the bush o’ woodbine
    That hangs atween her bower and mine?

    XLI

    ‘And wha has kill’d the master kid
    That ran aneath that ladie’s bed?

    XLII

    ‘And wha has loosed her left-foot shee[93]
    And letten that ladie lighter be?’

    XLIII

    Syne Willy has loosed the nine witch-knots
    That was among his ladie’s locks:

    XLIV

    And Willy’s ta’en out the kaims o’ care
    That hang among his ladie’s hair:

    XLV

    And Willy’s ta’en down the bush o’ woodbine
    That hang atween her bower and thine:

    XLVI

    And Willy has kill’d the master kid
    That ran aneath his ladie’s bed:

    XLVII

    And Willy has loosed her left-foot shee,
    And letten his ladie lighter be.

    XLVIII

    And now he’s gotten a bonny young son,
    And mickle grace be him upon!

FOOTNOTES:

[84] gar’d her drie = caused her to suffer.

[85] lighter = i. e. delivered of her child.

[86] tett = tuft.

[87] chess =? jess, strap.

[88] Billy Blind = a Brownie, or friendly House-spirit.

[89] pit = put.

[90] pat = did put.

[91] forbye = aside.

[92] kaims = combs.

[93] shee = shoe.




_7. The Queen of Elfland’s Nourice_


    I

    _‘I heard a cow low, a bonnie cow low,
      And a cow low down in yon glen:
    Lang, lang will my young son greet[94]
      Or his mither bid him come ben[95]!_

    II

    _‘I heard a cow low, a bonnie cow low,
      And a cow low down in yon fauld:
    Lang, lang will my young son greet
      Or his mither take him frae cauld!’_

    III

    [The Queen of Elfan’s nourice[96]
      She sits and sings her lane]
    ‘Waken, Queen of Elfan
      And hear your nourice moan.’--

    IV

    ‘O moan ye for your meat,
      Or moan ye for your fee,
    Or moan ye for the ither bounties
      That ladies are wont to gie?’--

    V

    ‘I moan na for my meat,
      Nor moan I for my fee,
    Nor moan I for the ither bounties
      That ladies are wont to gie.

    VI

    [‘But I heard a bonnie cow
      Low down in yonder fauld]
    And I moan for my young son
      I left in four nights auld.

    VII

    ‘I moan na for my meat,
      Nor yet for my fee;
    But I moan for Christen land;
      It’s there I fain would be.’

    VIII

    ‘O nurse my bairn, nourice,
      Till he stan’ at your knee,
    An ye’s win hame to Christen land
      Whar fain it’s ye wad be.

    IX

    ‘O keep my bairn, nourice,
      Till he gang by the hauld[97],
    An ye’s win hame to your young son
      Ye left in four nights auld.

    X

    ‘O nourice lay your head
      [Here] upo’ my knee:
    See ye not that narrow road
      Up by yonder tree?

    XI

    [‘See ye not the narrow road
      By yon lillie leven?]
    That’s the road the righteous goes
      And that’s the road to heaven.

    XII

    ‘An’ see na ye that braid road
      Down by yon sunny fell?
    Yon’s the road the wicked gae,
      An’ that’s the road to hell.

    XIII

    [‘An’ see na ye that bonny road
      About the fernie brae?
    That wins back frae Elfland
      Where you must wait to gae.’]

FOOTNOTES:

[94] _greet_ = cry.

[95] _ben_ = to the inner room.

[96] nourice = nurse.

[97] gang by the hauld = walk by holding on to the hand.




_8. Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight_


    I

    _My plaid awa’, my plaid awa’,
      And o’er the hill and far awa’;
    And far awa’ to Norrowa’,
      My plaid shall not be blown awa’!_

    II

    Lady Isabel sits in her bower sewing,
      _Aye as the gowans[98] grow gay_--
    She heard an elf-knight his horn blawing,
      The first morning in May.

    III

    The elfin-knight sits on yon hill,
    He blaws his horn baith loud and shrill.

    IV

    He blaws it east, he blaws it west,
    He blaws it where he lyketh best.

    V

    ‘I wish that horn were in my kist[99],
    Yea, and the knight in my arms niest[100].’

    VI

    She had no sooner these words said,
    When that knight came to her bed.

    VII

    ‘Thou art owre young a maid,’ quoth he,
    ‘Married with me thou ill wouldst be.’--

    VIII

    ‘I have a sister younger than I,
    And she was married yesterday.’--

    IX

    ‘Married with me if thou wouldst be,
    A courtesie thou must do to me.

    X

    ‘For thou must shape a sark[101] to me
    Without any cut or hem,’ quoth he.

    XI

    ‘It’s ye maun shape it knife-and-shurlesse,
    And also sew it needle-threedlesse.

    XII

    ‘And ye maun wash it in yonder well,
    Where the dew never wat[102] nor the rain never fell.

    XIII

    ‘And ye maun dry it upon a thorn
    That never budded sin Adam was born.’--

    XIV

    ‘Now sin ye have asked some things o’ me,
    It’s right I ask as mony o’ thee.

    XV

    ‘My father he ask’d me an acre o’ land
    Between the saut sea and the strand.

    XVI

    ‘And ye maun are[103] it wi’ your blawin’ horn,
    And ye maun sow it wi’ pepper corn.

    XVII

    ‘And ye maun harrow it with ae tyne[104],
    And ye maun shear it with ae horse bane.

    XVIII

    ‘And ye maun stack it in yon mouse-hole,
    And ye maun thresh it in yon shoe-sole.

    XIX

    ‘And ye maun winnow it in your loof[105],
    And ye maun sack it in your glove.

    XX

    ‘And ye maun bring it owre the sea,
    Fair and clean and dry to me.

    XXI

    ‘And when ye’ve done an’ finish’d your wark,
    Come to me, love, an’ get your sark.’

    XXII

    ‘It’s I’ll not quit my plaid for my life;
    It haps my seven bairns and my wife.’
        _The wind sall not blaw my plaid awa’:_
    ‘And it’s I will keep me a maiden still,
    Let the elfin knight do what he will’--
        _The wind has not blawn my plaid awa’!_

FOOTNOTES:

[98] _gowans_ = daisies.

[99] kist = chest.

[100] niest = next.

[101] sark = shirt.

[102] wat = wetted.

[103] are = plough.

[104] ae tyne = one harrow-point.

[105] loof = palm.




_9. The Riddling Knight_


    I

    There were three sisters fair and bright,
      _Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary_,
    And they three loved one valiant knight--
      _As the dow[106] flies over the mulberry-tree_.

    II

    The eldest sister let him in,
    And barr’d the door with a silver pin.

    III

    The second sister made his bed,
    And placed soft pillows under his head.

    IV

    The youngest sister that same night
    Was resolved for to wed wi’ this valiant knight.

    V

    ‘And if you can answer questions three,
    O then, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee.

    VI

    ‘O what is louder nor a horn,
    Or what is sharper nor a thorn?

    VII

    ‘Or what is heavier nor the lead,
    Or what is better nor the bread?

    VIII

    ‘Or what is longer nor the way,
    Or what is deeper nor the sea?’--

    IX

    ‘O shame is louder nor a horn,
    And hunger is sharper nor a thorn.

    X

    ‘O sin is heavier nor the lead,
    The blessing’s better nor the bread.

    XI

    ‘O the wind is longer nor the way
    And love is deeper nor the sea.’

    XII

    [‘You have answer’d aright my questions three,]
      _Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary;_
    And now, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee,
      _As the dow flies over the mulberry-tree._

FOOTNOTES:

[106] _dow_ = dove.




_10. May Colvin_


    I

    False Sir John a-wooing came
      To a maid of beauty fair;
    May Colvin was this lady’s name,
      Her father’s only heir.

    II

    He woo’d her but[107], he woo’d her ben,
      He woo’d her in the ha’;
    Until he got the lady’s consent
      To mount and ride awa’.

    III

    ‘Go fetch me some of your father’s gold,
      And some of your mother’s fee,
    And I’ll carry you into the north land,
      And there I’ll marry thee.’

    IV

    She’s gane to her father’s coffers
      Where all his money lay,
    And she’s taken the red, and she’s left the white,
      And so lightly she’s tripp’d away.

    V

    She’s gane to her father’s stable
      Where all the steeds did stand,
    And she’s taken the best, and she’s left the warst
      That was in her father’s land.

    VI

    She’s mounted on a milk-white steed,
      And he on a dapple-grey,
    And on they rade to a lonesome part,
      A rock beside the sea.

    VII

    ‘Loup[108] off the steed,’ says false Sir John,
      ‘Your bridal bed you see;
    Seven ladies I have drownèd here,
      And the eight’ one you shall be.

    VIII

    ‘Cast off, cast off your silks so fine
      And lay them on a stone,
    For they are too fine and costly
      To rot in the salt sea foam.

    IX

    ‘Cast off, cast off your silken stays,
      For and your broider’d shoon,
    For they are too fine and costly
      To rot in the salt sea foam.

    X

    ‘Cast off, cast off your Holland smock
      That’s border’d with the lawn,
    For it is too fine and costly
      To rot in the salt sea foam.’--

    XI

    ‘O turn about, thou false Sir John,
      And look to the leaf o’ the tree;
    For it never became a gentleman
      A naked woman to see.’

    XII

    He turn’d himself straight round about
      To look to the leaf o’ the tree;
    She’s twined her arms about his waist
      And thrown him into the sea.

    XIII

    ‘O hold a grip o’ me, May Colvín,
      For fear that I should drown;
    I’ll take you home to your father’s bower
      And safe I’ll set you down.’

    XIV

    ‘No help, no help, thou false Sir John,
      No help, no pity thee!
    For you lie not in a caulder bed
      Than you thought to lay me.’

    XV

    She mounted on her milk-white steed,
      And led the dapple-grey,
    And she rode till she reach’d her father’s gate,
      At the breakin’ o’ the day.

    XVI

    Up then spake the pretty parrot,
      ‘May Colvin, where have you been?
    What has become o’ false Sir John
      That went with you yestreen?’--

    XVII

    ‘O hold your tongue, my pretty parrot!
      Nor tell no tales o’ me;
    Your cage shall be made o’ the beaten gold
      And the spokes o’ ivorie.’

    XVIII

    Up then spake her father dear,
      In the bed-chamber where he lay;
    ‘What ails the pretty parrot,
      That prattles so long ere day?’--

    XIX

    ‘There came a cat to my cage, master,
      I thought ’t would have worried me,
    And I was calling to May Colvín
      To take the cat from me.’

FOOTNOTES:

[107] but, ben = both in the outer and inner rooms.

[108] loup = leap.




_11. The Wee Wee Man_


    I

    As I was walking mine alane
      Atween a water and a wa’,
    There I spied a wee wee man,
      And he was the least that ere I saw.

    II

    His legs were scant a shathmont’s[109] length,
      And thick and thimber[110] was his thie[111];
    Atween his brows there was a span,
      And atween his shoulders there was three.

    III

    He’s ta’en and flung a meikle stane,
      And he flang ’t as far as I could see;
    Though I had been a Wallace wight
      I couldna liften ’t to my knee.

    IV

    ‘O wee wee man, but ye be strang!
      O tell me where your dwelling be?’
    ‘My dwelling’s down by yon bonny bower;
      Fair lady, come wi’ me and see.’

    V

    On we lap[112], and awa’ we rade,
      Till we came to yon bonny green;
    We lighted down to bait our steed,
      And out there came a lady sheen[113];

    VI

    Wi’ four and twenty at her back
      A’ comely clad in glisterin’ green;
    Tho’ the King of Scotland had been there,
      The warst o’ them might ha’ been his queen.

    VII

    On we lap, and awa’ we rade,
      Till we came to a bonny ha’;
    The roof was o’ the beaten gowd,
      And the floor was o’ the cristal a’.

    VIII

    When we came to the stair-foot,
      Ladies were dancing jimp[114] and sma’,
    But in the twinkling of an eie
      My wee wee man was clean awa’.

    IX

    Out gat the lights, on came the mist,
      Ladies nor mannie mair cou’d I see:
    I turn’d about, and gae a look
      Just at the foot o’ Benachie.

FOOTNOTES:

[109] shathmont = measure from the point of the extended thumb to the
extremity of the palm, six inches.

[110] thimber = stout.

[111] thie = thigh.

[112] lap = leapt.

[113] sheen = shining, beautiful.

[114] jimp = slim, slender.




_12. Alison Gross_


    I

    O Alison Gross, that lives in yon tow’r,
      The ugliest witch i’ the north countrie,
    Has trysted[115] me ae day up till her bow’r
      And mony fair speeches she made to me.

    II

    She straik’d my head an’ she kaim’d my hair,
      An’ she set me down saftly on her knee;
    Says, ‘Gin ye will be my lemman sae true,
      Sae mony braw things as I would you gie!’

    III

    She show’d me a mantle o’ red scarlét,
      Wi’ gouden flowers an’ fringes fine;
    Says, ‘Gin ye will be my lemman[116] sae true,
      This gudely gift it sall be thine.’--

    IV

    ‘Awa’, awa’, ye ugly witch,
      Haud[117] far awa’, an’ lat me be!
    I never will be your lemman sae true,
      An’ I wish I were out o’ your company.’

    V

    She neist brought a sark o’ the saftest silk,
      Well wrought wi’ pearls about the band;
    Says, ‘Gin ye will be my lemman sae true,
      This gudely gift ye sall command.’

    VI

    She show’d me a cup o’ the good red gowd,
      Well set wi’ jewels sae fair to see;
    Says, ‘Gin ye will be my lemman sae true,
      This gudely gift I will you gie.’--

    VII

    ‘Awa’, awa’, ye ugly witch,
      Haud far awa’, an’ lat me be!
    For I wouldna once kiss your ugly mouth
      For a’ the gifts that ye could gie.’

    VIII

    She’s turn’d her right an’ roun’ about,
      An’ thrice she blaw on a grass-green horn;
    An’ she sware by the moon an’ the stars abune
      That she’d gar me rue the day I was born.

    IX

    Then out has she ta’en a silver wand,
      An’ she’s turn’d her three times roun’ and roun’;
    She mutter’d sic words till my strength it fail’d,
      An’ I fell down senseless upon the groun’.

    X

    She’s turn’d me into an ugly worm,
      And gar’d me toddle about the tree;
    An’ ay, on ilka Saturday’s night,
      My sister Maisry came to me,

    XI

    Wi’ silver bason an’ silver kaim
      To kaim my headie upon her knee;
    But or I had kiss’d [wi’ Alison Gross]
      I’d sooner ha’ toddled about the tree.

    XII

    But as it fell out, on last Hallowe’en,
      When the Seely Court[118] was ridin’ by,
    The Queen lighted down on a gowany[119] bank
      Nae far frae the tree where I wont to lye.

    XIII

    She took me up in her milk-white han’,
      An’ she’s straik’d me three times o’er her knee;
    She changed me again to my ain proper shape,
      An’ nae mair I toddle about the tree.

FOOTNOTES:

[115] trysted = invited.

[116] lemman = sweetheart.

[117] haud = hold, keep.

[118] Seely Court = the Happy Court (of the Fairies).

[119] gowany = daisied.




_13. Kemp Owyne_


    I

    Her mother died when she was young,
      Which gave her cause to make great moan;
    Her father married the warst woman
      That ever lived in Christendom.

    II

    She servèd her wi’ foot and hand
      In everything that she could dee[120],
    Till once, in an unlucky time
      She threw her owre a craig[121] o’ the sea.

    III

    Says, ‘Lie you there, dove Isabel,
      And all my sorrows lie wi’ thee!
    Till Kemp[122] Owyne come to the craig,
      And borrow[123] you wi’ kisses three.’

    IV

    Her breath grew strang, her hair grew lang
      And twisted thrice about the tree,
    And all the people, far and near,
      Thought that a savage beast was she.

    V

    And aye she cried for Kemp Owyne
      Gin that he would but com’ to her hand:--
    Now word has gane to Kemp Owyne
      That siccan[124] a beast was in his land.

    VI

    ‘Now by my sooth,’ says Kemp Owyne,
      ‘This fiery beast I’ll gang to see’;
    ‘And by my sooth,’ says Segramour,
      ‘My ae brother, I’ll gang you wi’.’

    VII

    O they have biggit[125] a bonny boat,
      And they have set her to the sea;
    But a mile before they reach’d the shore
      I wot she gar’d[126] the red fire flee.

    VIII

    ‘O brother, keep my boat afloat,
      An’ lat her na the land so near!
    For the wicked beast she’ll sure go mad,
      An’ set fire to the land an’ mair.’

    IX

    Syne he has bent an arblast bow
      And aim’d an arrow at her head,
    And swore, if she didna quit the land,
      Wi’ that same shaft to shoot her dead.

    X

    ‘O out o’ my stythe[127] I winna rise--
      And it is na for the fear o’ thee--
    Till Kemp Owyne, the kingis son,
      Come to the craig an’ thrice kiss me.’

    XI

    Her breath was strang, her hair was lang
      And twisted thrice about the tree,
    And with a swing she came about:
      ‘Come to the craig, an’ kiss with me!

    XII

    ‘Here is a royal belt,’ she cried,
      ‘That I have found in the green sea;
    And while your body it is on,
      Drawn shall your blood never be;
    But if you touch me, tail or fin,
      I swear my belt your death shall be.’

    XIII

    He’s louted[128] him o’er the Eastmuir craig,
      As out she swang and about the tree;
    He steppèd in, gave her a kiss,
      The royal belt he brought him wi’.

    XIV

    Her breath was strang, her hair was lang
      And twisted twice about the tree,
    As awa’ she gid[129], and again she swang--
      ‘Come to the craig, an’ kiss with me!

    XV

    ‘Here is a royal ring,’ she said,
      ‘That I have found in the green sea;
    And while your finger it is on,
      Drawn shall your blood never be;
    But if you touch me, tail or fin,
      I swear my ring your death shall be.’

    XVI

    He’s louted him o’er the Eastmuir craig,
      As out she swang and about the tree;
    He steppèd in, gave her a kiss,
      The royal ring he brought him wi’.

    XVII

    Her breath was strang, her hair was lang
      And twisted ance about the tree,
    As awa’ she gid and again she swang--
      ‘Come to the craig, an’ kiss with me!

    XVIII

    ‘Here is a royal brand,’ she said,
      ‘That I have found in the green sea;
    And while your body it is on,
      Drawn shall your blood never be;
    But if you touch me, tail or fin,
      I swear my brand your death shall be.’

    XIX

    He’s louted him o’er the Eastmuir craig,
      As out she swang and about the tree;
    He steppèd in, gave her a kiss
      That royal brand he brought him wi’.

    XX

    Her breath was sweet, her hair grew short,
      And twisted nane about the tree,
    As awa’ she gid and again she came
      The fairest lady that ever could be.

    XXI

    ‘O was it a wer-wolf into[130] the wood,
      Or was it a mermaid into the sea,
    Or was it a man or a vile woman,
      My true love, that mis-shapit thee?’--

    XXII

    ‘It was na wer-wolf into the wood,
      Nor was it mermaid into the sea,
    But and it was my vile stepmother,
      And wae and weary mote she be!

    XXIII

    ‘O a heavier weird shall light her on,
      Her hair sall grow rough an’ her teeth grow lang,
    And [aye] on her four feet sall she gang,
      And aye in Wormeswood sall she won[131]!’

FOOTNOTES:

[120] dee = do.

[121] craig = rock.

[122] Kemp = champion, knight.

[123] borrow = ransom.

[124] siccan = such.

[125] biggit = built.

[126] gar’d = made.

[127] stythe = place, station.

[128] louted = bowed.

[129] gid = went.

[130] into = in.

[131] won = dwell.




_14. The Laily Worm_

_and the Machrel of the Sea_


    I

    ‘I was but seven year auld
      When my mither she did dee;
    My father married the ae warst woman
      The warld did ever see.

    II

    ‘For she has made me the laily[132] worm,
      That lies at the fit o’ the tree,
    An’ my sister Masery she’s made
      The machrel of the sea.

    III

    ‘An’ every Saturday at noon
      The machrel comes to me,
    An’ she takes my laily head
      An’ lays it on her knee,
    She kaims it wi’ a siller kaim,
      An’ washes ’t in the sea.

    IV

    ‘Seven knights hae I slain,
      Sin I lay at the fit of the tree,
    An’ ye war na my ain father,
      The eighth ane ye should be.’--

    V

    ‘Sing on your song, ye laily worm,
      That ye did sing to me.’--
    ‘I never sung that song but what
      I would sing it to thee.

    VI

    ‘I was but seven year auld,
      When my mither she did dee;
    My father married the ae warst woman
      The warld did ever see.

    VII

    ‘For she changed me to the laily worm,
      That lies at the fit o’ the tree,
    And my sister Masery
      To the machrel of the sea.

    VIII

    ‘And every Saturday at noon
      The machrel comes to me,
    An’ she takes my laily head
      An’ lays it on her knee,
    An’ kames it wi’ a siller kame,
      An’ washes it i’ the sea.

    IX

    ‘Seven knights hae I slain
      Sin I lay at the fit o’ the tree;
    An’ ye war na my ain father,
      The eighth ane ye should be.’

    X

    He sent for his lady,
      As fast as send could he:
    ‘Whar is my son that ye sent frae me,
      And my daughter, Lady Masery?’--

    XI

    ‘Your son is at our king’s court,
      Serving for meat an’ fee,
    An’ your daughter’s at our queen’s court,
      The queen’s maiden to be.’--

    XII

    ‘Ye lee, ye lee, ye ill woman,
      Sae loud as I hear ye lee;
    My son’s the laily worm,
      That lies at the fit o’ the tree,
    And my daughter, Lady Masery,
      Is the machrel of the sea!’

    XIII

    She has tane a siller wan’,
      An’ gi’en him strokès three,
    And he’s started up the bravest knight
      That ever your eyes did see.

    XIV

    She has ta’en a small horn,
      An’ loud an’ shrill blew she,
    An’ a’ the fish came her untill
      But the machrel of the sea:
    ‘Ye shapeit me ance an unseemly shape,
      An’ ye’s never mare shape me.’

    XV

    He has sent to the wood
      For whins and for hawthorn,
    An’ he has ta’en that gay lady,
      An’ there he did her burn.

FOOTNOTES:

[132] laily = loathly.




_15. King Orfeo_

_A Shetland Ballad._


    I

    Der lived a king inta da aste[133],
      _Scowan ürla grün_[134]
    Der lived a lady in da wast.
      _Whar giorten han grün oarlac._[135]

    II

    Dis king he has a huntin gaen,
    He’s left his Lady Isabel alane.

    III

    ‘Oh I wis ye’d never gaen away,
    For at your hame is döl an wae.

    IV

    ‘For da king o Ferrie we his daert,
    Has pierced your lady to da hert.’

       *       *       *       *       *

    V

    And aifter dem da king has gaen,
    But when he cam it was a grey stane.

    VI

    Dan he took oot his pipes ta play,
    Bit sair his hert wi döl an wae.

    VII

    And first he played da notes o noy[136],
    An dan he played da notes o joy.

    VIII

    An dan he played da göd gabber reel[137],
    Dat meicht ha made a sick hert hale.

       *       *       *       *       *

    IX

    ‘Noo come ye in inta wir[138] ha’,
    An come ye in among wis[139] a’.’

    X

    Now he’s gaen in inta der ha’,
    An he’s gaen in among dem a’.

    XI

    Dan he took out his pipes to play,
    Bit sair his hert wi döl an wae.

    XII

    An first he played da notes o noy,
    An dan he played da notes o joy.

    XIII

    An dan he played da göd gabber reel,
    Dat meicht ha made a sick hert hale.

    XIV

    ‘Noo tell to us what ye will hae:
    What sall we gie you for your play?’--

    XV

    ‘What I will hae I will you tell,
    An dat’s me Lady Isabel.’--

    XVI

    ‘Yees tak your lady, an yees gaeng hame,
    An yees be king ower a’ your ain.’

    XVII

    He’s taen his lady, an he’s gaen hame,
    An noo he’s king ower a’ his ain.

FOOTNOTES:

[133] aste = east.

[134] _Scowan_ &c. = Early green’s the wood.

[135] _giorten_ &c. = Where the hart goes yearly.

[136] noy = grief.

[137] göd gabber reel = the rollicking dance-tune.

[138] wir = our.

[139] wis = us.




_16. King Henry_


    I

    Let never a man a wooing wend
      That lacketh thingis three;
    A routh[140] o’ gold, an open heart
      And fu’ o’ courtesye.

    II

    As this I speak of King Henry,
      For he lay burd-alone[141];
    An’ he’s doen him to a jelly[142] hunt’s ha’
      Was seven mile frae a town.

    III

    He’s chased the deer down him before,
      An’ the roe down by the den,
    Till the fattest buck in a’ the flock
      King Henry he has slain.

    IV

    O he has doen him to his ha’
      To make him bierly[143] cheer;
    An’ in it came a griesly ghost
      Steed stappin’ i’ the fleer[144].

    V

    Her head hat[145] the roof-tree o’ the house,
      Her middle ye weel mot[146] span;
    He’s thrown to her his gay mantle,
      Says, ‘Lady, hap[147] your lingcan[148].’

    VI

    Her teeth were a’ like teather stakes[149],
      Her nose like club or mell[150];
    An’ I ken naething she ’pear’d to be
      But the fiend that wons[151] in hell.

    VII

    ‘Some meat, some meat, ye King Henry,
      Some meat ye gie to me!’--
    ‘An’ what meat’s in this house, ladye,
      That ye’re not welcome tae?’--
    ‘O ye’se gae[152] kill your berry-brown steed,
      And serve him up to me.’

    VIII

    O whan he slew his berry-brown steed,
      Wow but his heart was sair!
    She ate him a’ up, skin an’ bane,
      Left naething but hide an’ hair.

    IX

    ‘Mair meat, mair meat, ye King Henry,
      Mair meat ye gie to me!’--
    ‘An’ what meat’s in this house, ladye,
      That ye’re not welcome tae?’--
    ‘O do ye slay your good grey-hounds
      An’ bring them a’ to me.’

    X

    O whan he slew his good grey-hounds,
      Wow but his heart was sair!
    She ate them a’ up, skin an’ bane,
      Left naething but hide an’ hair.

    XI

    ‘Mair meat, mair meat, ye King Henry,
      Mair meat ye gie to me!’--
    ‘An’ what meat’s in this house, ladye,
      That ye’re not welcome tae?’--
    ‘O do ye kill your gay goss-hawks
      An’ bring them a’ to me.’

    XII

    O whan he fell’d his gay goss-hawks,
      Wow but his heart was sair!
    She’s ate them a’ up, skin an’ bane,
      Left naethin’ but feathers bare.

    XIII

    ‘Some drink, some drink, now, King Henry,
      Some drink ye bring to me!’--
    ‘O what drink’s in this house, ladye,
      That ye’re not welcome tae?’--
    ‘O ye sew up your horse’s hide,
      An’ bring in drink to me.’

    XIV

    O he’s sew’d up the bluidy hide,
      A puncheon o’ wine put in;
    She’s drunk it a’ up at a waught[153],
      Left na ae drap ahin’[154].

    XV

    ‘A bed, a bed, now King Henry,
      A bed ye’se mak’ to me!’--
    ‘An’ what’s the bed in this house, ladye,
      That ye’re not welcome tae?’--
    ‘O ye maun pu’ the heather green,
      An’ mak’ a bed to me.’

    XVI

    Syne pu’d he has the heather green,
      An’ made to her a bed,
    An’ up has he ta’en his gay mantle,
      An’ o’er it he has spread.

    XVII

    ‘Tak’ off your claiths now, King Henry,
      An’ lie down by my side!’--
    ‘O God forbid,’ says King Henry,
      ‘That ever the like betide;
    That ever a fiend that wons in hell
      Shou’d streak[155] down by my side!’

    XVIII

    But whan day was come, and night was gane,
      An’ the sun shone thro’ the ha’,
    The fairest ladye that ever was seen
      [Cam’ to his armès twa].

    XIX

    ‘O weel is me!’ says King Henry,
      ‘How lang’ll this last wi’ me?’
    Then out an’ spake that fair ladye,
      ‘Even till the day you dee.

    XX

    ‘For I’ve met wi’ many a gentle knight
      That’s gien me sic a fill;
    But never before wi’ a courteous knight
      That ga’e me a’ my will.’

FOOTNOTES:

[140] routh = plenty.

[141] burd-alone = lone as a maid.

[142] jelly = jolly, jovial.

[143] bierly = stout, handsome.

[144] fleer = floor.

[145] hat = hit.

[146] mot = might.

[147] hap = cover.

[148] lingcan _for_ lycam = body.

[149] teather stakes = tether pegs.

[150] mell = mallet.

[151] wons = dwells.

[152] ye’se gae = you shall go.

[153] waught = draught.

[154] ahin’ = behind.

[155] streak = stretch.




_17. The Boy and the Mantle_

_A Ballad of King Arthur’s Court._


    I

    In the third day of May
      To Carleile did come
    A kind curteous child
      That co’ld[156] much of wisdome.

    II

    A kirtle and a mantle
      This child had uppon,
    With brauches and ringes
      Full richelye bedone[157].

    III

    He had a sute of silke
      About his middle drawne;
    Without he co’ld of curtesye
      He thought it much shame.

    IV

    ‘God speed thee, King Arthur,
      Sitting at thy meate;
    And the goodly Queene Guenever!
      I cannot her forget.

    V

    ‘I tell you, lords in this hall,
      I hett[158] you all heed,
    Except you be the more surer
      Is for you to dread.’

    VI

    He pluck’d out of his potener[159],
      And longer wo’ld not dwell,
    He pull’d forth a pretty mantle
      Betweene two nut-shells.

    VII

    ‘Have thou here, King Arthur,
      Have thou here of mee:
    Give itt to thy comely queene
      Shapen as itt is alreadye.

    VIII

    ‘Itt shall never become that wiffe
      That hath once done amisse.’
    Then every knight in the king’s court
      Began to care[160] for his.

    IX

    Forth came dame Guenever,
      To the mantle she her bed[161];
    The ladye shee was new fangle[162]
      But yett she was affrayd.

    X

    When shee had taken the mantle,
      She stoode as shee had beene madd;
    It was from the top to the toe
      As sheeres had it shread.

    XI

    One while was it gaule[163],
      Another while was itt greene,
    Another while was it wadded[164];
      Ill itt did her beseeme.

    XII

    Another while it was blacke,
      And bore the worst hue:
    ‘By my troth,’ quoth King Arthur,
      ‘I thinke thou be not true.’

    XIII

    Shee threw downe the mantle,
      That bright was of blee[165];
    Fast with a rudd red
      To her chamber can[166] she flee.

    XIV

    She cursed the weaver and the walker[167]
      That cloth that had wrought,
    And bade a vengeance on his crowne
      That hither hath itt brought.

    XV

    ‘I had rather be in a wood,
      Under a greenè tree,
    Than in King Arthur’s court
      Shamèd for to bee.’

    XVI

    Kay call’d forth his ladye
      And bade her come neere;
    Saies, ‘Madam, and thou be guiltye
      I pray thee hold thee here.’

    XVII

    Forth came his ladye
      Shortlye and anon;
    Boldlye to the mantle
      Then is she gone.

    XVIII

    When she had tane the mantle,
      And her about it cast
    Then was she bare
      All unto the waist.

    XIX

    Then every knight
      That was in the King’s court
    Talk’d, laugh’d and showted
      Full oft att that sport.

    XX

    She threw down the mantle
      That bright was of blee,
    Fast with a red rudd[168]
      To her chamber can she flee.

    XXI

    Forth came an old Knight
      Pattering ore a creede,
    And he proferr’d to this little Boy
      Twenty markes to his meede;

    XXII

    And all the time of Christmasse
      Willingly to ffeede;
    For why[169] this mantle might
      Doe his wiffe some need.

    XXIII

    When shee had tane the mantle
      Of cloth that was made,
    Shee had no more left on her
      But a tassell and a threed:
    That every knight in the King’s court
      Bade evill might shee speed.

    XXIV

    She threw downe the mantle,
      That bright was of blee,
    Fast with a red rudd
      To her chamber can she flee.

    XXV

    Craddocke call’d forth his ladye
      And bade her come in;
    Saith, ‘Winne this mantle, ladye,
      With a little dinne[170].

    XXVI

    ‘Winne this mantle, ladye,
      And it shal be thine
    If thou never did amisse
      Since thou wast mine.’

    XXVII

    Forth came Craddocke’s ladye
      Shortlye and anon,
    But boldlye to the mantle
      Then is shee gone.

    XXVIII

    When she had tane the mantle
      And cast it her about,
    Up at her great toe
      It began to crinkle and crowt[171]:
    Shee said, ‘Bowe downe, mantle,
      And shame me not for nought.

    XXIX

    ‘Once I did amisse,
      I tell you certainlye,
    When Craddocke’s mouth I kist
      Under a greenè tree;
    When I kist Craddocke’s mouth
      Before he marryed mee.’

    XXX

    When shee had her shreeven[172]
      And her sinnes shee had tolde,
    The mantle stood about her
      Right as she wo’ld;

    XXXI

    Seemelye of coulour,
      Glittering like gold
    Then every knight in Arthur’s court
      Did her behold.

       *       *       *       *       *

    XXXII

    The little Boy stoode
      Looking over a dore;
    [There as he look’d
      He was ware of a wyld bore.]

    XXXIII

    He was ware of a wyld bore
      Wo’ld have werryed[173] a man:
    He pull’d forth a wood-kniffe
      Fast thither that he ran:
    He brought in the bore’s head
      And quitted him like a man.

    XXXIV

    He brought in the bore’s head,
      And was wonderous bold;
    He said there was never a cuckold’s kniffe
      Carve itt that co’ld.

    XXXV

    Some rubb’d their knives
      Uppon a whetstone;
    Some threw them under the table,
      And said they had none.

    XXXVI

    King Arthur and the child
      Stood looking them upon;
    All their knives’ edges
      Turnèd backe againe.

    XXXVII

    Craddocke had a litle kniffe
      Of iron and of steele;
    He birtled[174] the bore’s head
      Wonderous weale,
    That every knight in the King’s court
      Had a morssell.

    XXXVIII

    The litle Boy had a horne,
      Of red gold that ronge[175];
    He said, ‘There was noe cuckolde
      Shall drinke of my horne,
    But he sho’ld itt sheede[176]
      Either behind or beforne.’

    XXXIX

    Some shedd it on their shoulder
      And some on their knee;
    He that co’ld not hitt his mouth
      Put it in his e’e;
    And he that was a cuckold
      Every man might him see.

    XL

    Craddocke wan the horne
      And the bore’s head;
    His ladye wan the mantle
      Unto her meede;
    Everye such a lovely ladye
      God send her well to speede!

FOOTNOTES:

[156] co’ld = could, knew.

[157] bedone = adorned.

[158] hett = bid.

[159] potener = pouch, purse.

[160] care = bethink him.

[161] bed = bid, offered.

[162] new fangle = capricious.

[163] gaule = gules, red.

[164] wadded = of woad colour, blue.

[165] blee = hue.

[166] can = did.

[167] walker = fuller.

[168] rudd = complexion.

[169] For why = because.

[170] dinne = noise, i. e. ado.

[171] crowt = pucker.

[172] shreeven = shriven, confessed.

[173] werryed = worried.

[174] birtled = brittled, cut up.

[175] ronge = rung, resounded.

[176] sheede = shed, spill.




_18. King Arthur and King Cornwall_

_A Fragment_


King Arthur of Little Britain unwisely boasts the beauty of his famous
Round Table.

    I

    Saies, ‘Come here, cuzen Gawaine so gay,
      My sisters sonne be yee;
    Ffor you shall see one of the fairest round tables
      That ever you see with your eye.’

    II

    Then bespake Lady Queen Guenever,
      And these were the words said shee:
    ‘I know where a round table is, thou noble king,
      Is worth thy round table and other such three.

    III

    ‘The trestle that stands under this round table,’ she said,
      ‘Lowe downe to the mould,
    It is worth thy round table, thou worthy king,
      Thy halls, and all thy gold.

    IV

    ‘The place where this round table stands in,
      [Is fencèd round amaine]
    It is worth thy castle, thy gold, thy fee,
      And all good Litle Britaine.’

    V

    ‘Where may that table be, lady?’ quoth hee,
      ‘Or where may all that goodly building be?’
    ‘You shall it seeke,’ shee says, ‘till you it find;
      You shall never gett more of me.’

    VI

    Then bespake him noble King Arthur
      These were the words said hee:
    ‘I’le make mine avow to God,
      And alsoe to the Trinity,

    VII

    ‘I’le never sleepe one night there as I doe another
      ’Till that round table I see:
    Sir Marramiles and Sir Tristeram,
      Fellowes that ye shall bee.

    VIII

    [‘Sir Gawaine and Sir Bredbettle
      Be fellowes eke with me,]
    Weele be clad in palmers’ weede,
      Five palmers we will bee;

    IX

    ‘There is noe outlandish man will us abide,
      Nor will us come nye.’
    Then they rived[177] east and they rived west,
      In many a strange countrỳ.

    X

    Then they tranckled[178] a litle further,
      They saw a battle new sett:
    ‘Now, by my faith,’ saies noble King Arthur,
      [‘These armies be well met.’]

After travelling in many strange lands they arrive at the castle of
King Cornwall, not a great way from home.

    XI

    But when he cam to this [Cornwall castle]
      And to the palace gate,
    Soe ready was ther a proud portèr,
      And met him soone therat.

    XII

    Shooes of gold the porter had on,
      And all his other rayment was unto the same:
    ‘Now, by my faith,’ saies noble King Arthur,
      ‘Yonder is a minion swaine.’

    XIII

    Then bespake noble King Arthur,
      These were the words says hee:
    ‘Come thou hither, thou proud portèr,
      I pray thee come hither to me.

    XIV

    ‘I have two poore rings, of my finger,
      The better of them I’le give to thee;
    Tell who may be lord of this castle,
      Or who is lord in this cuntry?’

    XV

    ‘Cornewall King,’ the porter sayes,
      ‘There is none soe rich as hee;
    Neither in christendome, nor yet in heathendom,
      None hath soe much gold as he.’

    XVI

    And then bespake him noble King Arthur,
      These were the words sayes hee:
    ‘I have two poore rings of my finger,
      The better of them I’le give thee,
    If thou wilt greete him well, Cornewall King,
      And greete him well from me.

    XVII

    ‘Pray him for one night’s lodging and two meales’ meate,
      For his love that dyed uppon a tree;
    Of one ghesting[179] and two meales’ meate,
      For his love that dyed uppon tree.

    XVIII

    ‘Of one ghesting, of two meales’ meate,
      For his love that was of virgin borne,
    And in the morning that we may scape away,
      Either without scath or scorne.’

    XIX

    Then forth is gone this proud portèr,
      As fast as he co’ld hye,
    And when he came befor Cornewall King,
      He kneelèd downe on his knee.

    XX

    Sayes, ‘I have beene porter-man at thy gate
      This thirty winter and three,
    [But there is ffive knights before itt now,
      The like I never did see.’]

King Cornwall questioning the strangers, they happen to speak of a
certain shrine of Our Lady, from which he gathers that they have been
in Little Britain. This leads him to question them concerning King
Arthur.

    XXI

       *       *       *       *       *

    Our Lady was borne; then thought Cornewall King
      ‘These palmers had beene in Brittaine.’

    XXII

    Then bespake him Cornewall King,
      These were the words he said there:
    ‘Did you ever know a comely king,
      His name was King Arthùr?’

    XXIII

    And then bespake him noble King Arthùr,
      These were the words said hee:
    ‘I doe not know that comly king,
      But once my selfe I did him see.’
    Then bespake Cornewall King againe,
      These were the words said he:

    XXIV

    Sayes, ‘Seven yeere I was clad and fed,
      In Litle Brittaine, in a bower;
    I had a daughter by King Arthur’s wife,
      That now is called my flower;
    For King Arthur, that kindly cockward,
      Hath none such in his bower.

    XXV

    ‘For I durst sweare, and save my othe,
      That same lady soe bright,
    That a man that were laid on his death bed
      Wo’ld open his eyes on her to have sight.’--
    ‘Now, by my faith,’ sayes noble King Arthur,
      ‘And that’s a full faire wight!’

    XXVI

    And then bespake Cornewall [King] againe,
      And these were the words he said:
    ‘Come hither, five or three of my knights,
      And feitch me downe my steed;
    King Arthur, that foule cockeward,
      Hath none such, if he had need.

    XXVII

    ‘For I can ryde him as far on a day
      As King Arthur can any of his on three;
    And is it not a pleasure for a king
      When he shall ryde forth on his journèy?

    XXVIII

    ‘For the eyes that beene in his head,
      They glister as doth the gleed[180].’
    ‘Now, by my faith,’ says noble King Arthur,
      ‘That is a well faire steed.’

After showing them other of his possessions, King Cornwall has the
strangers conducted to bed; but first takes the precaution to conceal
the Burlow Beanie, or Billy Blind--friendly household spirit--in
a rubbish-barrel by the bedside, to listen and overhear their
conversation.

    XXX

    Then King Arthur to his bed was brought,
      A greivèd man was hee;
    And soe were all his fellowes with him.
      From him they thought never to flee.

    XXXI

    Then take they did that lodly[181] groome,
      And under the rub-chadler[182] closed was hee,
    And he was set by King Arthur’s bed-side,
      To heere theire talke and theire comunye;

    XXXII

    That he might come forth, and make proclamation,
      Long before it was day;
    It was more for King Cornewall’s pleasure,
      Then it was for King Arthur’s pay[183].

    XXXIII

    And when King Arthur in his bed was laid,
      These were the words said hee:
    ‘I’le make mine avow to God,
      And alsoe to the Trinity,
    That I’le be the bane of Cornewall Kinge
      Litle Brittaine or ever I see!’

    XXXIV

    ‘It is an unadvised vow,’ saies Gawaine the gay,
      ‘As ever king hard make I;
    But wee that beene five christian men,
      Of the christen faith are wee,
    And we shall fight against anoynted king
      And all his armorie.’

    XXXV

    And then bespake him noble Arthur,
      And these were the words said he:
    ‘Why, if thou be afraid, Sir Gawaine the gay,
      Goe home, and drinke wine in thine owne country.’

    XXXVI

    And then bespake Sir Gawaine the gay,
      And these were the words said hee:
    ‘Nay, seeing you have made such a hearty vow,
      Heere another vow make will I.

    XXXVII

    ‘I’le make mine avow to God,
      And alsoe to the Trinity,
    That I will have yonder faire lady
      To Litle Brittaine with mee.

While they lie talking, an unguarded movement of the sprite in the
barrel leads to his discovery. Then follows a great combat.

    XXXIX

    [O then bespake Sir Tristram,]
      These were the words sayd hee:
    ‘Befor I wold wrestle with yonder feend,
      It is better to be drown’d in the sea.’

    XL

    And then bespake Sir Bredbeddle,
      And these were the words said he
    ‘Why, I will wrestle with yon lodly feend,
      God, my governor thou wilt bee!’

    XLI

    Then bespake him noble Arthur,
      And these were the words said he:
    ‘What weapons wilt thou have, thou gentle knight?
      I pray thee tell to me.’

    XLII

    He sayes, ‘Collen brand[184] I’le have in my hand,
      And a Millaine[185] knife fast by my knee,
    And a Danish axe fast in my hands,
      That a sure weapon I thinke will be.’

    XLIII

    Then with his Collen brand that he had in his hand,
      The bunge of that rub-chandler he burst in three;
    With that start out a lodly feend,
      With seven heads, and one body.

    XLIV

    The fyer towards the element[186] flew,
      Out of his mouth, where was great plentie;
    The knight stoode in the middle and fought,
      That it was great joy to see.

    XLV

    Till his Collaine brand brake in his hand,
      And his Millaine knife burst on his knee,
    And then the Danish axe burst in his hand first,
      That a sure weapon he thought sho’ld be.

    XLVI

    But now is the knight left without any weapons,
      And alacke! it was the more pittye;
    But a surer weapon then he had one,
      Had neuer lord in Christentye;
    And all was but one litle booke,
      He found it by the side of the sea.

    XLVII

    He found it at the sea-side,
      Wruckèd upp in a floode;
    Our Lord had written it with his hands,
      And sealed it with his bloode.

With this book of Evangiles Sir Bredbittle, otherwise the Green Knight,
overcomes the sprite, and having conjured him into a wall of stone,
returns with report to King Arthur.

    XLVIII

    [Saies] ‘That thou doe not [stir a foot]
     But ly still in that wall of stone,
    Till I have beene with noble King Arthur,
      And told him what I have done.’

    XLIX

    And when he came to the king’s chamber,
      He co’ld of his curtesie:
    Says, ‘Sleepe you, wake you, noble King Arthur?
      And ever Jesus waken yee!’

    L

    ‘Nay, I am not sleeping, I am waking,’
      These were the words said hee;
    ‘Ffor thee I have car’d; how hast thou fared?
      O gentle knight, let me see.’

    LI

    The knight wrought the king his booke,
      Bad him behold, reede and see;
    And ever he found it on the back of the leafe
      As noble Arthur wo’ld wish it to be.

    LII

    And then bespake him King Arthur,
      ‘Alas! thow gentle knight, how may this be,
    That I might see him in the same licknesse
      That he stood unto thee?’

    LIII

    And then bespake him the Greene Knight,
      These were the words said hee:
    ‘If you’le stand stifly in the battell stronge,
      For I have won all the victory.’

    LIV

    Then bespake him the king againe,
      And these were the words said hee:
    ‘If wee stand not stifly in this battell strong,
      Wee are worthy to be hang’d on a tree.’

    LV

    Then bespake him the Greene Knight,
      These were the words said he:
    Saies, ‘I doe conjure thee, thou fowle feend,
      In the same licknesse thou stood unto me.’

    LVI

    With that start out a lodly feend,
      With seven heads, and one bodỳ;
    The fier towards the element flew
      Out of his mouth, where was great plentie.

But now with the aid of the book Sir Bredbittle has the fiend wholly at
command. He is sent first to fetch the steed.

    LIX

    And then bespake him the Greene Knight,
      And these were the words said he:
    Saith, ‘I conjure thee, thou fowle feend,
      That thou feitch downe the steed, that we see.’

    LX

    And then forth is gone Burlow-beanie,
      As fast as he co’ld hie,
    And feitch he did that fairè steed,
      And came againe by and by.

    LXI

    Then bespake him Sir Marramiles,
      And these were the words said hee:
    ‘Ryding of this steed, brother Bredbeddle,
      The mastery belongs to me.’

    LXII

    Marramiles tooke the steed to his hand,
      To ryd him he was full bold;
    He co’ld noe more make him goe
      Then a child of three yeere old.

    LXIII

    He laid uppon him with heele and hand,
      With yard that was soe fell;
    ‘Helpe! brother Bredbeddle,’ says Marramile,
      ‘For I thinke he be the devill of hell.

    LXIV

    ‘Helpe! brother Bredbeddle,’ says Marramile,
      ‘Helpe! for Christ’s pittye;
    Ffor without thy help, brother Bredbeddle,
      He will never be rydden for me.’

    LXV

    Then bespake him Sir Bredbeddle,
      These were the words said he:
    ‘I conjure thee tell, thou Burlow-beanie,
      How this steed was riddin in his country.’

    LXVI

    ‘In Cornewall’s window is a gold wand;
      Let him strike three strokes on that steed,
    And then he will spring forth of his hand
      As sparke doth out of gleede[187].’

Then Sir Tristram requires a horn. At Sir Bredbittle’s command the
sprite fetches it; but the horn will not sound until anointed with a
certain powder. This also the sprite is sent to fetch.

    LXX

    And then bespake Sir Bredebeddle,
     To the ffeend these words said hee:
    Says, ‘I conjure thee, thou Burlow-beanie,
      The powder-box thou feitch me.’

    LXXI

    Then forth is gone Burlow-beanie,
      As fast as he co’ld hie,
    And feich he did the powder-box,
      And came againe by and by.

    LXXII

    Then Sir Tristeram tooke powder forth of that box,
      And blent it with warme sweet milke,
    And there put it unto that horne,
      And swill’d it about in that ilke.

    LXXIII

    Then he tooke the horne into his hand,
      And a lowd blast he blew;
    He rent the horne up to the midst,
      All his ffellowes this they knew.

    LXXIV

    Then bespake him the Greene Knight,
      These were the words said he:
    Saies, ‘I conjure thee, thou Burlow-beanie,
      That thou feitch me the sword, that I see.’

    LXXV

    Then forth is gone Burlow-beanie,
      As fast as he co’ld hie,
    And feitch he did that fairè sword,
      And came againe by and by.

    LXXVI

    Then bespake him Sir Bredbeddle,
      To the king these words said he:
    ‘Take this sword in thy hand, thou noble King Arthur,
      For thy vowes sake I’le give it thee,
    And goe strike off King Cornewall’s head,
      In bed where he doth lye.’

    LXXVII

    Then forth is gone noble King Arthur,
     As fast as he co’ld hye,
    And strucken he hath off King Cornewall’s head,
     And came againe by and by.

So King Arthur fulfils his vow; and, if the rest of the Ballad had been
preserved, no doubt it would have told us how his companions fulfilled
theirs.

FOOTNOTES:

[177] rived = arrived, travelled.

[178] tranckled = travelled.

[179] ghesting = guesting, lodging.

[180] gleed = live coal.

[181] lodly = loathly.

[182] rub-chadler = rubbish-tub.

[183] pay = satisfaction.

[184] Collen brand = sword of Cologne steel.

[185] Millaine = Milanese.

[186] element = sky.

[187] gleede = live coal.




_19. The Marriage of Sir Gawain_

[_A Fragment_]


    I

    Kinge Arthur lives in merry Carleile,
      And seemely is to see,
    And there he hath with him Queene Genever,
      That bride soe bright of blee[188].

    II

    And there he hath with him Queene Genever,
      That bride soe bright in bower,
    And all his barons about him stoode,
      That were both stiffe and stowre[189].

    III

    The king kept a royall Christmasse,
      Of mirth and great honor.

Soon after Christmas the King chanced to ride by Tarn Wadling[190], in
the forest of Inglewood, when he was met by a fierce baron armed with a
club, who offered him choice between fighting and ransom. For ransom,
the King must return on New Year’s Day--

    IV

    ‘And bring me word what thing it is
      That a woman will most desire;
    This shalbe thy ransome, Arthur,’ he sayes,
      ‘For I’le have noe other hier.’

    V

    King Arthur then held up his hand,
      According thene as was the law;
    He tooke his leave of the baron there,
      And homward can he draw.

    VI

    And when he came to merry Carleile,
      To his chamber he is gone,
    And ther came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine,
      As he did make his mone.

    VII

    And there came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine,
      That was a curteous knight;
    ‘Why sigh you soe sore, unckle Arthur,’ he said,
      ‘Or who hath done thee unright?’--

    VIII

    ‘O peace, O peace, thou gentle Gawaine,
      That faire may thee beffall!
    For if thou knew my sighing soe deepe,
      Thou wo’ld not mervaile att all.

    IX

    ‘Ffor when I came to Tearne Wadling,
    A bold barron there I fand,
    With a great club upon his backe,
    Standing stiffe and strong.

    X

    ‘And he asked me wether I wo’ld fight
    Or from him I shold begone,
    Or else I must him a ransome pay,
    And soe depart him from.

    XI

    ‘To fight with him I saw noe cause;
    Methought it was not meet;
    For he was stiffe and strong with-all,
    His strokes were nothing sweete.

    XII

    ‘Therefor this is my ransome, Gawaine,
    I ought to him to pay;
    I must come againe, as I am sworne,
    Upon the New Yeer’s day;

    XIII

    ‘And I must bring him word what thing it is
    [That a woman will most desire].

Arthur, having collected and written down many answers to the baron’s
riddle, was true to his promise, thus--

    XIV

    Then king Arthur drest him for to ryde,
    In one soe rich array,
    Toward the fore-said Tearne Wadling,
    That he might keepe his day.

    XV

    And as he rode over a more,
      Hee see a lady where shee sate
    Betwixt an oke and a greene hollen[191];
      She was cladd in red scarlett.

    XVI

    Then thereas shold have stood her mouth,
      Then there was sett her eye;
    The other was in her forhead fast,
      The way that she might see.

    XVII

    Her nose was crooked and turn’d outward,
      Her mouth stood foule a-wry;
    A worse form’d lady than shee was,
      Never man saw with his eye.

    XVIII

    To halch upon[192] him, King Arthur,
      This lady was full faine,
    But King Arthur had forgott his lesson,
      What he sho’ld say againe.

    XIX

    ‘What knight art thou,’ the lady sayd,
      ‘That will not speak to me?
    Of me be thou nothing dismay’d,
      Tho I be ugly to see.

    XX

    ‘For I have halched you curteouslye,
      And you will not me againe;
    Yett I may happen Sir Knight,’ shee said,
      ‘To ease thee of thy paine.’

    XXI

    ‘Give thou ease me, lady,’ he said,
      ‘Or helpe me any thing,
    Thou shalt have gentle Gawaine, my cozen,
      And marry him with a ring.’

The hag thereupon gave him the right answer and he rode forward.

    XXIII

    And when he came to the Tearne Wadling,
      The baron there co’ld he finde,
    With a great weapon on his backe,
      Standing stiffe and stronge.

    XXIV

    And then he tooke King Arthur’s letters in his hands,
      And away he co’ld them fling,
    And then he puld out a good browne sword,
      And cryd himselfe a king.

    XXV

    And he sayd, ‘I have thee and thy land, Arthur,
      To doe as it pleaseth me,
    For this is not thy ransome sure,
      Therfore yeeld thee to me.’

    XXVI

    And then bespoke him noble Arthur,
      And bad him hold his hand:
    ‘And give me leave to speake my mind
      In defence of all my land.’

    XXVII

    He said, ‘As I came over a more,
      I see a lady where shee sate
    Betweene an oke and a green hollen;
      Shee was clad in red scarlett.

    XXVIII

    ‘And she says a woman will have her will,
      And this is all her cheef desire:
    Doe me right, as thou art a baron of sckill[193],
      This is thy ransome and all thy hyer.’

    XXIX

    He sayes, ‘An early vengeance light on her!
      She walkes on yonder more;
    It was my sister that told thee this,
      [As shee heard it of me before.]

    XXX

    ‘But heer I’le make mine avow to God
      To doe her an evill turne;
    For an’ ever I may thate fowle theefe get,
      In a fyer I will her burne.’

The King, having returned home, told his knights that he had in the
forest a bride for one of them, and a number rode out in his company to
find her.

    XXXI

    Sir Lancelott and Sir Steven bold,
      They rode with them that day,
    And the formost of the company
      There rode the steward Kay.

    XXXII

    Soe did Sir Banier and Sir Bore,
      Sir Garrett with them soe gay,
    Soe did Sir Tristeram that gentle knight,
      To the forrest fresh and gay.

    XXXIII

    And when he came to the greene forrest,
      Underneath a greene holly tree,
    Their sate that lady in red scarlet
      That unseemly was to see.

    XXXIV

    Sir Kay beheld this lady’s face,
      And looked uppon her swire[194];
    ‘Whosoever kisses this lady,’ he sayes,
      ‘Of his kisse he stands in feare.’

    XXXV

    Sir Kay beheld the lady againe,
      And looked upon her snout;
    ‘Whosoever kisses this lady,’ he saies,
      ‘Of his kisse he stands in doubt.’

    XXXVI

    ‘Peace, cozen Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine,
      ‘Amend thee of thy life;
    For there is a knight amongst us all
      That must marry her to his wife.’

    XXXVII

    ‘What! wedd her to wiffe!’ then said Sir Kay,
      ‘In the divell’s name anon!
    Gett me a wiffe where-ere I may,
      For I had rather be slaine!’

    XXXVIII

    Then some tooke up their hawkes in hast.
      And some tooke up their hounds,
    And some sware they wo’ld not marry her
      For citty nor for towne.

    XXXIX

    And then be-spake him noble King Arthur,
      And sware there by this day,
    For a litle foule sight and misliking
      [They should not say her Nay].

At length Sir Gawain, for Arthur’s sake, consented. The ugly bride was
taken home and bedded, when to Gawain’s delight in his arms she turned
to a beautiful woman. She then offered him a choice.--

    XL

    Then shee said, ‘Choose thee, gentle Gawaine,
      Truth as I doe say,
    Wether thou wilt have me in this liknesse
      In the night or else in the day.’

    XLI

    And then bespake him gentle Gawaine,
      Was one soe mild of moode,
    Sayes, ‘Well I know what I wo’ld say,
      God grant it may be good!

    XLII

    ‘To have thee fowle in the night
      When I with thee sho’ld play--
    Yet I had rather, if I might,
      Have thee fowle in the day.’

    XLIII

    ‘What! when lords goe with ther feires[195],’ shee said,
      ‘Both to the ale and wine,
    Alas! then I must hyde my selfe,
      I must not goe withinne.’

    XLIV

    And then bespake him gentle Gawaine,
      Said, ‘Lady, that’s but skill;
    And because thou art my owne lady,
      Thou shall have all thy will.’

    XLV

    Then she said, ‘Blesed be thou, gentle Gawain,
      This day that I thee see!
    For as thou seest me att this time,
      From hencforth I wilbe.

    XLVI

    ‘My father was an old knight,
      And yett it chancèd soe
    That he marryed a younge lady
      That brought me to this woe.

    XLVII

    ‘Shee witched me, being a faire young lady,
      To the greene forrest to dwell,
    And there I must walke in woman’s liknesse,
      Most like a feend of hell.

    XLVIII

    ‘She witched my brother to a carlish [boore]

Being thus given what a woman most desires (that is, her will) she is
released from the spell and becomes beautiful at all times: and Sir
Gawain leads his lady in triumph among the knights, to present her to
the King and Queen.

    L

    ‘Come kisse her, brother Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine,
      ‘And amend thé of thy liffe;
    I sweare this is the same lady
      That I marryed to my wiffe.’

    LI

    Sir Kay kissed that lady bright,
      Standing upon his ffeete;
    He swore, as he was trew knight,
      The spice was never soe sweete.

    LII

    ‘Well, cozen Gawaine,’ sayes Sir Kay,
      ‘Thy chance is fallen arright,
    For thou hast gotten one of the fairest maids
      I ever saw with my sight.’--

    LIII

    ‘It is my fortune,’ said Sir Gawaine;
      ‘For my unckle Arthurs sake
    I am glad as grasse wold be of raine,
      Great joy that I may take.’

    LIV

    Sir Gawaine tooke the lady by the one arme,
      Sir Kay tooke her by the tother,
    They led her straight to King Arthur,
      As they were brother and brother.

    LV

    King Arthur welcomed them there all,
      And soe did Lady Genever his queene,
    With all the knights of the Round Table,
      Most seemly to be seene.

    LVI

    King Arthur beheld that lady faire
      That was soe faire and bright,
    He thanked Christ in Trinity
      For Sir Gawaine that gentle knight.

    LVII

    Soe did the knights, both more and lesse,
      Rejoyced all that day
    For the good chance that hapened was
      To Sir Gawaine and his lady gay.

FOOTNOTES:

[188] blee = hue, complexion.

[189] stowre = strong or perhaps we should read ‘stiff in stowre’ =
sturdy in fight.

[190] Tarn Wadling = The place--near Hesketh in Cumberland, on the road
from Carlisle to Penrith--keeps its name to this day. But the tarn has
been drained and its site is now a pasture for sheep.

[191] hollen = holly-tree.

[192] halch upon = salute.

[193] sckill = wit, judgement.

[194] swire = neck.

[195] feires = mates.




_20. Bonnie Annie_


    I

    There was a rich lord, and he lived in Forfar,
    He had a fair lady and one only dochter.

    II

    O she was fair! O dear, she was bonnie!
    A ship’s captain courted her to be his honey.

    III

    ‘Ye’ll steal your father’s gowd, and your mother’s money,
    And I’ll make ye a lady in Ireland bonnie.’

    IV

    She’s stown her father’s gowd, and her mother’s money,
    But she was never a lady in Ireland bonnie.

    V

    They hadna sail’d far till the young thing cried ‘Woman!’
    ‘What can a woman do, love, I will do for ye.

    VI

    ‘Lay about, steer about, lay our ship cannie[196],
    Do all ye can to save my dear Annie.’

    VII

    ‘There’s fey[197] folk in our ship, she winna sail for me,
    There’s fey folk in our ship, she winna sail [ony].’

    VIII

    They’ve castin’ black bullets twice six and forty,
    And ae the black bullet fell on bonnie Annie.

    IX

    ‘Ye’ll tak me in your arms twa, lo, lift me cannie,
    Throw me out owre-board, your ain dear Annie.’

    X

    He has ta’en her in his arms twa, lo, lifted her cannie,
    He has laid her on a bed of down, his ain dear Annie.

    XI

    ‘What can a woman do, love, I’ll do for ye:’
    ‘Muckle can a woman do, ye canna do for me.’

    XII

    ‘Lay about, steer about, lay our ship cannie,
    Do all ye can to save my dear Annie.’

    XIII

    ‘I’ve laid about, steer’d about, laid about cannie,
    Our ship’s on a sand-bank, she winna sail [ony]--

    XIV

    ‘Ye’ll take her in your arms twa, lo, lift her cannie,
    And throw her out owre-board, your ain dear Annie.’

    XV

    He has ta’en her in his arms twa, lo, lifted her cannie,
    He has thrown her out owre-board, his ain dear Annie.

    XVI

    [The corse it did float, the ship it did follow]
    Until that they came to the high banks o’ Yarrow[198].

    XVII

    ‘O I’d bury my love on the high banks o’ Yarrow,
    But the wood it is dear, and the planks they are narrow.’

    XVIII

    He made his love a coffin o’ the gowd sae yellow,
    And buried his bonnie love doun in a sea valley.

FOOTNOTES:

[196] cannie = gently.

[197] fey = destined to die.

[198] Yarrow =? Jarrow.




_21. Brown Robyn’s Confession_


    I

    It fell upon a Wadensday
      Brown Robyn’s men went to sea;
    But they saw neither moon nor sun
      Nor starlight wi’ their e’e.

    II

    ‘We’ll cast kevels[199] us amang;
      See wha the man may be.’--
    The kevel fell on Brown Robyn,
      The master-man was he.

    III

    ‘It is nae wonder,’ said Brown Robyn,
      ‘Altho’ I dinna thrive;
    [For at hame I murder’d my ain father--
      I would he were on live.]

    IV

    ‘But tie me to a plank o’ wude,
      And throw me in the sea;
    And if I sink, ye may bid me sink,
      But if I swim, let be.’

    V

    They’ve tied him to a plank o’ wude
      And thrown him in the sea;
    He didna sink, tho’ they bade him sink,
      He swim’d, and they bade let be.

    VI

    He hadna been into the sea
      An hour but barely three,
    Till by it came Our Blessed Ladie
      Her dear young son her wi’.

    VII

    ‘Will ye gang to your men again,
      Or will ye gang wi’ me?
    Will ye gang to the high heavens
      Wi’ my dear son and me?’--

    VIII

    ‘I winna gang to my men again,
      For they would be fear’d at me;
    But I would gang to the high heavens,
      Wi’ thy dear son and thee.’

    IX

    ‘It’s for nae honour ye did, Brown Robyn,
      It’s for nae gude ye did to me;
    But a’ is for your fair confession
      You’ve made upon the sea.’

FOOTNOTES:

[199] kevels = lots.




_22. The Cruel Mother_


    I

    She lean’d her back unto a thorn;
      _Fine flowers in the valley_
    And there she has her two babes born,
      _And the green leaves they grow rarely._

    II

    She’s ta’en the ribbon frae her hair,
    And bound their bodies fast and sair.

    III

    ‘Smile na sae sweet, my bonny babes,
    An’ ye smile sae sweet, ye’ll smile me dead.

    IV

    ‘And, O bonny babes, if ye suck sair,
    Ye’ll never suck by my side mair.’

    V

    She’s ta’en out her little penknife
    And twinn’d[200] the sweet babes o’ their life.

    VI

    She’s howket a grave baith deep and wide,
    And there she’s buried them side by side.

    VII

    She’s buried them baith beneath the brier,
    And washed her hands wi’ mony a tear.

    VIII

    ‘O ay, my God, as I look to thee,
    My babes be atween my God and me!

    IX

    ‘And ay their smiles wad win me in,
    But I am borne down by deadly sin.’

    X

    She’s cover’d them o’er wi’ a marble stane,
    Thinking she wad gang maiden hame.

    XI

    She lookit out owre her castle wa’
    And saw twa naked boys play at the ba’.

    XII

    ‘O bonny boys, gin ye were mine
    I wad cleed[201] you in silk and sabelline[202].

    XIII

    ‘O I would dress you in the silk,
    And wash you ay in morning milk.’--

    XIV

    ‘O mother dear, when we were thine,
    You didna prove to us sae kind.

    XV

    ‘O cruel mother, we were thine
    And thou made us to wear the twine[203].

    XVI

    ‘But now we’re in the heavens hie,
      _Fine flowers in the valley_
    And ye have the pains o’ hell to drie’--
      _And the green leaves they grow rarely;_
    _Ten thousand times good night and be wi’ thee!_

FOOTNOTES:

[200] twinn’d = robbed, deprived.

[201] cleed = clothe.

[202] sabelline = sable.

[203] twine = twine-cloth, shroud.




_23. Binnorie_


    I

    There were twa sisters sat in a bour;
      _Binnorie, O Binnorie!_
    There cam a knight to be their wooer,
      _By the bonnie milldams o’ Binnorie._

    II

    He courted the eldest with glove and ring,
    But he lo’ed the youngest abune a’ thing.

    III

    The eldest she was vexèd sair,
    And sair envìed her sister fair.

    IV

    Upon a morning fair and clear,
    She cried upon her sister dear:

    V

    ‘O sister, sister, tak my hand,
    And we’ll see our father’s ships to land.’

    VI

    She’s ta’en her by the lily hand,
    And led her down to the river-strand.

    VII

    The youngest stood upon a stane,
    The eldest cam and push’d her in.

    VIII

    ‘O sister, sister, reach your hand!
    And ye sall be heir o’ half my land:

    IX

    ‘O sister, reach me but your glove!
    And sweet William sall be your love.’--

    X

    ‘Foul fa’ the hand that I should take;
    It twin’d[204] me o’ my warldis make[205].

    XI

    ‘Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair
    Gar’d me gang maiden evermair.’

    XII

    Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam,
    Until she cam to the miller’s dam.

    XIII

    Out then cam the miller’s son,
    And saw the fair maid soummin’[206] in.

    XIV

    ‘O father, father, draw your dam!
    There’s either a mermaid or a milk-white swan.’

    XV

    The miller hasted and drew his dam,
    And there he found a drown’d woman.

    XVI

    You couldna see her middle sma’,
    Her gowden girdle was sae braw.

    XVII

    You couldna see her lily feet,
    Her gowden fringes were sae deep.

    XVIII

    You couldna see her yellow hair
    For the strings o’ pearls was twisted there.

    XIX

    You couldna see her fingers sma’,
    Wi’ diamond rings they were cover’d a’.

    XX

    And by there cam a harper fine,
    That harpit to the king at dine.

    XXI

    And when he look’d that lady on,
    He sigh’d and made a heavy moan.

    XXII

    He’s made a harp of her breast-bane,
    Whose sound wad melt a heart of stane.

    XXIII

    He’s ta’en three locks o’ her yellow hair,
    And wi’ them strung his harp sae rare.

    XXIV

    He went into her father’s hall,
    And there was the court assembled all.

    XXV

    He laid his harp upon a stane,
    And straight it began to play by lane[207].

    XXVI

    ‘O yonder sits my father, the King,
    And yonder sits my mother, the Queen;

    XXVII

    ‘And yonder stands my brother Hugh,
    And by him my William, sweet and true.’

    XXVIII

    But the last tune that the harp play’d then--
      _Binnorie, O Binnorie!_
    Was, ‘Woe to my sister, false Helèn!’
      _By the bonnie milldams o’ Binnorie_.

FOOTNOTES:

[204] twin’d = robbed, deprived.

[205] my warldis make = my one mate in the world.

[206] soummin’ = swimming.

[207] by lane = alone, of itself.




_24. The Broomfield Hill_


    I

    There was a knight and a lady bright
      Set trysts[208] amang the broom,
    The ane to come at morning ear[209],
      The other at afternoon.

    II

    ‘I’ll wager, I’ll wager, I’ll wager wi’ you
      Five hundred merks and ten
    That a maid shanna gae to the bonny broom
      And a maiden return again.’--

    III

    ‘I’ll wager, I’ll wager, I’ll wager wi’ you
      Five hundred merks and ten
    That a maid shall gae to the bonny green broom
      And a maiden return again.’

    IV

    The may she sat at her mother’s bower door
      And aye she made her mane:
    ‘O whether shou’d I gang to the Broomfield Hill,
      Or should I stay at hame?

    V

    ‘For if I do gang to the Broomfield Hill,
      A maid I’ll not return;
    But if I stay frae the Broomfield Hill,
      My love will ca’ me man-sworn.’

    VI

    Up then spake an auld witch-wife,
      Sat in the bower abune:
    ‘O ye may gang to the Broomfield Hill,
      And yet come maiden hame,

    VII

    ‘For when ye gang to the Broomfield Hill,
      Ye’ll find your love asleep,
    Wi’ a silver belt above his head,
      And a broom-cow[210] at his feet.

    VIII

    ‘Tak’ ye the bloom frae aff the broom,
      Strew’t at his head an’ feet,
    And aye the thicker that ye do strew,
      The sounder he will sleep.

    IX

    ‘Tak’ ye the rings aff your fingers,
      Put them in his right hand,
    To let him know when he does wake,
      His love was at his command.’

    X

    Lord John has ta’en his milk-white steed
      And his hawk wi’ his bells sae bright,
    And he’s ridden swift to the Broomfield Hill,
      [Was never a baulder] knight.

    XI

    ‘Now rest, now rest, my milk-white steed,
      My lady will soon be here,
    And I’ll lay my head by this rose sae red,
      And the bonny burn sae near.’

    XII

    She’s pu’d the broom-flower on Hive Hill,
      And strew’d on ’s white breast-bane,
    And that was to be wittering[211] true
      That maiden she had gane.

    XIII

    ‘O where were ye, my milk-white steed,
      That I hae coft[212] sae dear,
    That wadna watch and waken me
      When there was maiden here?’--

    XIV

    ‘I stampèd wi’ my foot, master,
      And gar’d my bridle ring,
    But no kin’ thing wald waken ye
      Till she was past and gane.’--

    XV

    ‘And wae betide ye, my gay goss-hawk,
      That I hae coft sae dear,
    That wadna watch an’ waken me
      When my true-love was here.’--

    XVI

    ‘I clappèd wi’ my wings, master,
      And aye my bells I rang,
    And aye cried, _Waken, waken, master,
      Before the ladye gang_!’--

    XVII

    ‘But haste, but haste, my gude white steed,
      To come the maiden till,
    Or a’ the birds of the gude greenwood
      O’ your flesh shall have their fill!’--

    XVIII

    ‘Ye needna burst your gude white steed
      Wi’ racing o’er the howm[213];
    Nae bird flies faster thro’ the wood
      Than she fled thro’ the broom.’

FOOTNOTES:

[208] trysts = assignations.

[209] ear = early.

[210] broom-cow = branch of broom.

[211] wittering = information, token.

[212] coft = bought.

[213] howm = holm, river-mead.




_25. Earl Mar’s Daughter_


    I

    It was intill a pleasant time,
      Upon a simmer’s day,
    The noble Earl Mar’s daughter
      Went forth to sport and play.

    II

    And while she play’d and sported
      Below a green aik tree,
    There she saw a sprightly doo[214]
      Set on a tower sae hie.

    III

    ‘O Coo-me-doo, my love sae true,
      If ye’ll come doun to me,
    Ye’se hae a cage o’ gude red gowd
      Instead o’ simple tree.

    IV

    ‘I’ll put gowd hingers[215] roun’ your cage,
      And siller roun’ your wa’;
    I’ll gar ye shine as fair a bird
      As ony o’ them a’.’

    V

    But she had nae these words well spoke,
      Nor yet these words well said,
    Till Coo-me-doo flew frae the tower
      And lichted on her head.

    VI

    Then she has brought this pretty bird
      Hame to her bowers and ha’,
    And made him shine as fair a bird
      As ony o’ them a’.

    VII

    When day was gone, and night was come,
      About the evening-tide,
    This lady spied a gallant youth
      Stand straight up by her side.

    VIII

    ‘From whence cam’ ye, young man?’ she said;
      ‘That does surprise me sair;
    My door was bolted right secure,
     What way hae ye come here?’--

    IX

    ‘O haud your tongue, ye lady fair,
      Lat a’ your folly be;
    Mind ye not o’ your turtle-doo
      Ye wiled from aff the tree?’--

    X

    ‘What country come ye frae?’ she said,
      ‘An’ what’s your pedigree?’--
    ‘O it was but this verra day
      That I cam’ ower the sea.

    XI

    ‘My mither lives on foreign isles,
      A queen o’ high degree;
    And by her spells I am a doo
      With you to live an’ dee.’--

    XII

    ‘O Coo-me-doo, my love sae true,
      Nae mair frae me ye’se gae.’--
    ‘That’s never my intent, my love;
      As ye said, it shall be sae.’

    XIII

    Then he has stay’d in bower wi’ her
      For six lang years and ane,
    Till six young sons to him she bare,
      And the seventh she’s brought hame.

    XIV

    But aye, as ever a child was born,
      He carried them away,
    And brought them to his mither’s care
      As fast as he could fly.

    XV

    When he had stay’d in bower wi’ her
      For seven lang years an’ mair
    There cam’ a lord o’ high renown
      To court this lady fair.

    XVI

    But still his proffer she refused
      And a’ his presents too;
    Says, ‘I’m content to live alane
      Wi’ my bird Coo-me-doo.’

    XVII

    Her father swore a michty oath
      Amang the nobles all,
    ‘The morn, or ere I eat or drink,
      This bird I will gar kill.’

    XVIII

    The bird was sitting in his cage
      And heard what they did say;
    Says, ‘Wae is me, and you forlorn,
      If I do langer stay!’

    XIX

    Then Coo-me-doo took flight and flew
      And afar beyond the sea,
    And lichted near his mither’s castle
      On a tower o’ gowd sae hie.

    XX

    His mither she was walking out
      To see what she could see,
    And there she saw her one young son
      Set on the tower sae hie.

    XXI

    ‘Get dancers here to dance,’ she said,
      ‘And minstrels for to play;
    For here’s my young son Florentine
      Come hame wi’ me to stay.’--

    XXII

    ‘Get nae dancers to dance, mither,
      Nor minstrels for to play;
    For the mither o’ my seven sons,
      The morn’s her wedding-day.’--

    XXIII

    ‘O tell me, tell me, Florentine,
      Tell me, an tell me true;
    Tell me this day without a flaw
      What I will do for you?’--

    XXIV

    ‘Instead of dancers to dance, mither,
      Or minstrels for to play,
    Turn four-and-twenty well-wight[216] men
      Like storks in feathers gray:

    XXV

    ‘My seven sons in seven swans
      Aboon their heads to flee;
    And I mysel’ a gay goshawk,
      A bird o’ high degree.’

    XXVI

    Then siching said the Queen hersel’,
      ‘That thing’s too high for me!’
    But she applied to an auld woman
      Wha had mair skill than she.

    XXVII

    Instead o’ dancers to dance a dance,
      Or minstrels for to play,
    Four-and-twenty well-wight men
      Turn’d birds o’ feathers gray.

    XXVIII

    Her seven sons in seven swans,
      Aboon their heads to flee;
    And he himsel’ a gay goshawk,
      A bird o’ high degree.

    XXIX

    This flock o’ birds took flight and flew
      Beyond the raging sea,
    And landed near the Earl Mar’s castle,
      Took shelter in every tree.

    XXX

    They were a flock o’ pretty birds
      Right comely to be seen;
    The people view’d them wi’ surprise
      As they dancèd on the green.

    XXXI

    These birds flew out frae every tree
      And lichted on the ha’,
    And [frae the roof] with force did flee
      Amang the nobles a’.

    XXXII

    The storks there seized [ilk wedding-guest]
      --They could not fight nor flee;
    The swans they bound the [bridegroom fast]
      Below a green aik tree.

    XXXIII

    They lichted next on the [bride-] maidens,
      Then on the bride’s own head;
    And wi’ the twinkling o’ an e’e
      The bride an’ them were fled.

    XXXIV

    There’s ancient men at weddings been
      For sixty years or more,
    But siccan a curious wedding-day
      They never saw before.

    XXXV

    For naething could the companie do,
      Nor naething could they say;
    But they saw a flock o’ pretty birds
      That took their bride away.

FOOTNOTES:

[214] doo = dove.

[215] hingers = hangings, curtains.

[216] well-wight = strong, lusty.




_26. Proud Lady Margaret_


    I

    Fair Margret was a proud ladye,
      The King’s cousin was she;
    Fair Margret was a rich ladye,
      An’ vain as vain cou’d be.

    II

    Ae night she sat in her stately ha’
      Kaimin’ her yellow hair,
    When in there cam’ a gentle Knight,
      An’ a white scarf he did wear.

    III

    ‘O what’s your will wi’ me, Sir Knight?
      O what’s your will wi’ me?
    You’re the likest to my ae brither
      That ever I did see.

    IV

    ‘You’re the likest to my ae brither
      That ever I hae seen;
    But he’s buried in Dunfermline kirk
      A month an’ mair bygane.’--

    V

    ‘I’m the likest to your ae brither
      That ever ye did see;
    But I canna get rest in my grave,
      A’ for the pride o’ thee.

    VI

    ‘Leave pride, Margret, leave pride, Margret,
      Leave pride an’ vanity;
    Cou’d ye see the sights that I hae seen
      Sair warnèd ye wou’d be.

    VII

    ‘For the wee worms are my bedfellows,
      An’ cauld clay is my sheets,
    An’ when the stormy winds do blow
      My body lies and sleeps.

    VIII

    ‘O ye come in at the kirk-door
      Wi’ the red gowd on your crown;
    But when you come where I have been,
      You’ll wear it laigher[217] down.

    IX

    ‘O ye come in at the kirk door
      Wi’ the gowd prins[218] i’ your sleeve,
    But when you come where I have been
      Ye maun gie them a’ their leave.

    X

    ‘Leave pride, Margret, leave pride, Margret,
      Leave pride an’ vanity;
    Ere ye see the sights that I hae seen,
      Sair alter’d ye maun be.’

    XI

    He got her in her stately ha’,
      Kaimin’ her yellow hair;
    He left her on her sick, sick bed
      Mournin’ her sins sae sair.

FOOTNOTES:

[217] laigher = lower.

[218] prins = pins.




_27. Clerk Saunders_


    PART I

    I

    Clerk Saunders and may Margaret
      Walk’d owre yon garden green;
    And deep and heavy was the love
      That fell thir twa between.

    II

    ‘A bed, a bed,’ Clerk Saunders said,
      ‘A bed for you and me!’
    ‘Fye na, fye na,’ said may Margaret,
      ‘Till anes we married be!’--

    III

    ‘Then I’ll take the sword frae my scabbard
      And slowly lift the pin;
    And you may swear, and save your aith,
      Ye ne’er let Clerk Saunders in.

    IV

    ‘Take you a napkin in your hand,
      And tie up baith your bonnie e’en,
    And you may swear, and save your aith,
      Ye saw me na since late yestreen.’

    V

    It was about the midnight hour,
      When they asleep were laid,
    When in and came her seven brothers,
      Wi’ torches burning red:

    VI

    When in and came her seven brothers,
      Wi’ torches burning bright:
    They said, ‘We hae but one sister,
      And behold her lying with a knight!’

    VII

    Then out and spake the first o’ them,
      ‘I bear the sword shall gar him die.’
    And out and spake the second o’ them,
      ‘His father has nae mair but he.’

    VIII

    And out and spake the third o’ them,
      ‘I wot that they are lovers dear.’
    And out and spake the fourth o’ them,
      ‘They hae been in love this mony a year.’

    IX

    Then out and spake the fifth o’ them,
      ‘It were great sin true love to twain.’
    And out and spake the sixth o’ them,
      ‘It were shame to slay a sleeping man.’

    X

    Then up and gat the seventh o’ them,
      And never a word spake he;
    But he has striped[219] his bright brown brand
      Out through Clerk Saunders’ fair bodye.

    XI

    Clerk Saunders he started, and Margaret she turn’d
      Into his arms as asleep she lay;
    And sad and silent was the night
      That was atween thir twae.

    XII

    And they lay still and sleepit sound
      Until the day began to daw’;
    And kindly she to him did say,
      ‘It is time, true love, you were awa’.’

    XIII

    But he lay still, and sleepit sound,
      Albeit the sun began to sheen;
    She look’d atween her and the wa’,
      And dull and drowsie were his e’en.

    XIV

    Then in and came her father dear;
      Said, ‘Let a’ your mourning be;
    I’ll carry the dead corse to the clay,
      And I’ll come back and comfort thee.’

    XV

    ‘Comfort weel your seven sons,
      For comforted I will never be:
    I ween ’twas neither knave nor loon
      Was in the bower last night wi’ me.’


    PART II

    I

    The clinking bell gaed through the town,
      To carry the dead corse to the clay;
    And Clerk Saunders stood at may Margaret’s window,
      I wot, an hour before the day.

    II

    ‘Are ye sleeping, Marg’ret?’ he says,
      ‘Or are ye waking presentlie?
    Give me my faith and troth again,
      I wot, true love, I gied to thee.’

    III

    ‘Your faith and troth ye sall never get,
      Nor our true love sall never twin[220],
    Until ye come within my bower,
      And kiss me cheik and chin.’

    IV

    ‘My mouth it is full cold, Marg’ret;
      It has the smell, now, of the ground;
    And if I kiss thy comely mouth,
      Thy days of life will not be lang.

    V

    ‘O cocks are crowing on merry middle-earth,
      I wot the wild fowls are boding day;
    Give me my faith and troth again,
      And let me fare me on my way.’

    VI

    ‘Thy faith and troth thou sallna get,
      And our true love sall never twin,
    Until ye tell what comes o’ women,
      I wot, who die in strong traivelling?’

    VII

    ‘Their beds are made in the heavens high,
      Down at the foot of our good Lord’s knee,
    Weel set about wi’ gillyflowers;
      I wot, sweet company for to see.

    VIII

    ‘O cocks are crowing on merry middle-earth,
      I wot the wild fowls are boding day;
    The psalms of heaven will soon be sung,
      And I, ere now, will be miss’d away.’

    IX

    Then she has taken a crystal wand,
      And she has stroken her troth thereon;
    She has given it him out at the shot-window,
      Wi’ mony a sad sigh and heavy groan.

    X

    ‘I thank ye, Marg’ret; I thank ye, Marg’ret;
      And ay I thank ye heartilie;
    Gin ever the dead come for the quick,
      Be sure, Marg’ret, I’ll come for thee.’

    XI

    It’s hosen and shoon, and gown alone,
      She climb’d the wall, and follow’d him,
    Until she came to the green forèst,
      And there she lost the sight o’ him.

    XII

    ‘Is there ony room at your head, Saunders?
      Is there ony room at your feet?
    Or ony room at your side, Saunders,
      Where fain, fain, I wad sleep?’

    XIII

    ‘There’s nae room at my head, Marg’ret,
      There’s nae room at my feet;
    My bed it is fu’ lowly now,
      Amang the hungry worms I sleep.

    XIV

    ‘Cauld mould is my covering now,
      But and my winding-sheet;
    The dew it falls nae sooner down
      Than my resting-place is weet.

    XV

    ‘But plait a wand o’ bonny birk,
      And lay it on my breast;
    And shed a tear upon my grave,
      And wish my saul gude rest.’

    XVI

    Then up and crew the red, red cock,
      And up and crew the gray:
    ‘’Tis time, ’tis time, my dear Marg’ret,
      That you were going away.

    XVII

    ‘And fair Marg’ret, and rare Marg’ret,
      And Marg’ret o’ veritie,
    Gin e’er ye love another man,
      Ne’er love him as ye did me.’

FOOTNOTES:

[219] striped = thrust.

[220] twin = break in two.




_28. The Daemon Lover_


    I

    ‘O where hae ye been, my long, long love,
      These seven long years and more?’--
    ‘O I’m come to seek my former vows,
      That ye promised me before.’--

    II

    ‘Awa’ wi’ your former vows,’ she says,
      ‘For they will breed but strife;
    Awa’ wi’ your former vows,’ she says,
      ‘For I am become a wife.

    III

    ‘I am married to a ship-carpenter,
      A ship-carpenter he’s bound;
    I wadna he kenn’d my mind this nicht
      For twice five hundred pound.’

    IV

    He turn’d him round and round about,
      And the tear blinded his e’e:
    ‘I wad never hae trodden on Irish ground
      If it hadna been for thee.

    V

    ‘I might hae had a noble lady,
      Far, far beyond the sea;
    I might hae had a noble lady,
      Were it no for the love o’ thee.’--

    VI

    ‘If ye might hae had a noble lady,
      Yoursel’ ye had to blame;
    Ye might hae taken the noble lady,
      For ye kenn’d that I was nane.’--

    VII

    ‘O fause are the vows o’ womankind,
      But fair is their fause bodie:
    I wad never hae trodden on Irish ground,
      Were it no for the love o’ thee.’--

    VIII

    ‘If I was to leave my husband dear,
      And my wee young son alsua,
    O what hae ye to tak’ me to,
      If with you I should gae?’--

    IX

    ‘I hae seven ships upon the sea,
      The eighth brought me to land;
    With mariners and merchandise,
      And music on every hand.

    X

    ‘The ship wherein my love sall sail
      Is glorious to behowd;
    The sails sall be o’ the finest silk,
      And the mast o’ beaten gowd.’

    XI

    She has taken up her wee young son,
      Kiss’d him baith cheek and chin;
    ‘O fare ye weel, my wee young son,
      For I’ll never see you again!’

    XII

    She has put her foot on gude ship-board,
      And on ship-board she has gane,
    And the veil that hangit ower her face
      Was a’ wi’ gowd begane[221].

    XIII

    She hadna sail’d a league, a league,
      A league but barely twa,
    Till she minded on her husband she left
      And her wee young son alsua.

    XIV

    ‘O haud your tongue o’ weeping,’ he says,
      ‘Let a’ your follies a-bee;
    I’ll show where the white lilies grow
      On the banks o’ Italie.’

    XV

    She hadna sail’d a league, a league,
      A league but barely three,
    Till grim, grim grew his countenance
      And gurly[222] grew the sea.

    XVI

    ‘What hills are yon, yon pleasant hills,
      The sun shines sweetly on?’--
    ‘O yon are the hills o’ Heaven,’ he said,
      ‘Where you will never won.’--

    XVII

    ‘O whaten-a mountain is yon,’ she said,
      ‘Sae dreary wi’ frost and snae[223]?’--
    ‘O yon is the mountain o’ Hell,’ he said,
      ‘Where you and I will gae.

    XVIII

    ‘But haud your tongue, my dearest dear,
      Let a’ your follies a-bee,
    I’ll show where the white lilies grow,
      In the bottom o’ the sea.’

    XIX

    And aye as she turn’d her round about,
      Aye taller he seem’d to be;
    Until that the tops o’ that gallant ship
      Nae taller were than he.

    XX

    He strack the top-mast wi’ his hand,
      The fore-mast wi’ his knee;
    And he brake that gallant ship in twain,
      And sank her in the sea.

FOOTNOTES:

[221] begane = overlaid.

[222] gurly = rough, surly.

[223] snae = snow.




_29. Clerk Colven_


    I

    Clerk Colven, and his gay ladie,
      As they walk’d in yon garden green,
    The belt about her middle jimp[224]
      It cost Clerk Colven crowns fifteen.

    II

    ‘O hearken weel now, my good lord,
      O hearken weel to what I say;
    When ye gang to the wall[225] o’ Stream
      O gang nae near the weel-faur’d may[226].’

    III

    ‘O haud your tongue, my gay ladie,
      Now speak nae mair of that to me;
    For I nae saw a fair woman
      [That I cou’d] like so well as thee.’

    IV

    He’s mounted on his berry-brown steed,
      And merry, merry rade he on,
    Till that he came to the wall o’ Stream,
      And there he saw the mermaiden.

    V

    ‘Ye wash, ye wash, ye bonny may,
      And ay’s ye wash your sark o’ silk.’--
    ‘It’s a’ for ye, you gentle knight,
      My skin is whiter than the milk.’

    VI

    He’s ta’en her by the milk-white hand,
      He’s ta’en her by the sleeve sae green,
    And he’s forgotten his gay ladie,
      And he’s awa’ wi’ the mermaiden.

    VII

    --‘Ohone, alas!’ says Clerk Colven,
      ‘And aye so sair as akes my head!’
    And merrily leugh[227] the mermaiden,
      ‘O ’twill win on[228] till you be dead.

    VIII

    ‘But out ye tak’ your little pen-knife,
      And frae my sark ye shear a gare[229];
    Row[230] that about your lovely head,
      And the pain ye’ll never feel nae mair.’

    IX

    Out he has ta’en his little pen-knife,
      And frae her sark he’s shorn a gare;
    She’s ty’d it round his whey-white face,
      But and ay his head it akèd mair.

    X

    ‘Ohone, alas!’ says Clerk Colven,
      ‘O sairer, sairer akes my head!’--
    ‘And sairer, sairer ever will,
      And aye be war’[231] till ye be dead.’

    XI

    Then out he drew his shining blade
      And thought wi’ it to be her deid[232],
    But she’s become a fish again,
      And merrily sprang into the fleed[233].

    XII

    He’s mounted on his berry-brown steed,
      And dowie[234], dowie rade he hame,
    And heavily, heavily lighted down
      When to his ladie’s bower he came.

    XIII

    ‘O mither, mither, mak’ my bed,
      And, gentle ladie, lay me down;
    O brither, brither, unbend my bow,
      ’Twill never be bent by me again!’

    XIV

    His mither she has made his bed,
      His gentle ladie laid him down,
    His brither he has unbent his bow,
      --’Twas never bent by him again.

FOOTNOTES:

[224] jimp = slim, slender.

[225] wall = well.

[226] weel-faur’d may = well-favoured maiden.

[227] leugh = laughed.

[228] win on = continue.

[229] gare = gore, strip.

[230] row = roll, wrap.

[231] war’ = worse.

[232] deid = death.

[233] fleed = flood.

[234] dowie = dolefully.




_30. Young Hunting_


    I

    ‘O lady, rock never your young son young
      One hour longer for me;
    For I have a sweetheart in Gareloch Wells
      I love thrice better than thee.

    II

    ‘The very sole o’ that lady’s foot,
      Than thy face is mair white.’--
    ‘But nevertheless now, Young Hunting,
      Ye’ll bide in my bower this night?’

    III

    She has birl’d[235] in him Young Hunting
      The good ale and the wine,
    Till he was as fou drunken
      As any wild-wood swine.

    IV

    [She has kiss’d him by] the candle-light
      And the charcoal burning red,
    And up she has ta’en Young Hunting,
      And she’s had him to her bed.

    V

    And she’s minded her on a little pen-knife
      That hang’d below her gare[236],
    And she has gi’en Young Hunting
      A deep wound and a sair.

    VI

    Then up and spake the popinjay
      That flew abune her head:
    ‘Lady, keep well your green cleiding[237]
      Frae good Young Hunting’s bleid!’--

    VII

    ‘O better I’ll keep my green cleiding
      Frae good Young Hunting’s bleid
    Than thou canst keep thy clattering tongue
      That trattles in thy head.’

    VIII

    ‘O lang, lang is the winter’s night,
      And slowly daws[238] the day!
    There lies a dead man in my bower,
      And I wish he were away.’

    IX

    She has call’d upon her bower-maidens,
      She has call’d them ane by ane:
    ‘There lies a dead man in my bower,
      I wish that he were gane.’

    X

    They have booted and spurr’d Young Hunting
      As he was wont to ride--
    A hunting-horn about his neck,
      And a sharp sword by his side;
    And they’ve had him to the wan water,
      Where a’ men ca’s it Clyde.

    XI

    In the deepest pot of Clyde-water
      It’s there they flang him in,
    And put a turf on his breast-bane
      To hold Young Hunting down.

    XII

    Then up and spake the popinjay
      That sat upon the tree;
    ‘Gae hame, gae hame, ye fause lady,
      And pay your maids their fee.’--

    XIII

    ‘Come down, come down, my pretty bird,
      That sits upon the tree;
    I have a cage o’ beaten gold,
      I’ll gie it unto thee.’--

    XIV

    ‘How shall I come down, how can I come down,
      How shall I come down to thee?
    The things ye said to Young Hunting,
      The same ye’re saying to me.’

    XV

    She hadna cross’d a rigg[239] o’ land,
      A rigg but barely ane,
    When she met wi’ his auld father,
      Came riding all alane.

    XVI

    ‘Where has ye been, now, lady fair,
      Where has ye been sae late?
    We hae been seeking Young Hunting,
      But him we canna get.’--

    XVII

    ‘Young Hunting kens a’ the fords o’ Clyde,
      He’ll ride them ane by ane;
    And though the night was ne’er so mirk,
      Young Hunting will be hame.’

    XVIII

    O there came seeking Young Hunting
      Mony a lord and knight,
    And there came seeking Young Hunting
      Mony a lady bright.

    XIX

    And it fell ance upon a day
      The King was bound to ride,
    And he has miss’d Young Hunting,
      Should hae ridden on his right side.

    XX

    And they have to his true love gane;
      But she sware by the thorn,
    ‘O I have not seen Young Hunting
      Since yesterday at morn.

    XXI

    ‘It fears me sair in Clyde Water
      That he is drown’d therein!’
    O they have sent for the King’s divers,
      To dive for Young Hunting.

    XXII

    ‘Gar dive, gar dive!’ the King he cried,
      ‘Gar dive for gold and fee!
    O wha will dive for Young Hunting’s sake,
      Or wha will dive for me?’

    XXIII

    They dived in at the tae water-bank,
      They dived in at the tither:
    ‘We can dive no more for Young Hunting,
      Altho’ he were our brither.’

    XXIV

    It fell that in that lady’s castle
      The King was boun to bed,
    And out it spake the popinjay
      That flew abune his head:

    XXV

    ‘Leave off, leave off, your day diving,
      And dive upon the night;
    And where that sackless[240] Knight lies slain
      The candles will burn bright.’

    XXVI

    They left their diving on the day,
      And dived upon the night;
    And over the place Young Hunting lay
      The candles shone fu’ bright.

    XXVII

    The deepest pot in Clyde Water
      They got Young Hunting in,
    With a green turf tied across his breast
      To keep that good lord down.

    XXVIII

    Then up and spake the King himsel’,
      When he saw the deadly wound:
    ‘O wha has slain my right-hand man,
      That held my hawk and hound?’

    XXIX

    Then up and spake the popinjay,
      Says, ‘What needs a’ this din?
    It was his light leman took his life,
      And hided him in the linn[241].’

    XXX

    She sware her by the grass sae green,
      So did she by the corn,
    She hadna seen Young Hunting
      Since Monanday at morn.

    XXXI

    ‘Put not the wyte[242] on me,’ she says,
      ‘It was my May[243] Catheren.’
    Then they have cut baith thorn and fern,
      To burn that maiden in.

    XXXII

    When they had ta’en her May Catheren,
      In the bonfire set her in;
    It wouldna take upon her cheeks,
      Nor yet upon her chin,
    Nor yet upon her yellow hair,
      To heal the deadly sin.

    XXXIII

    Out they have ta’en her May Catheren,
      And put the lady in:
    O it took upon her cheek, her cheek,
      Took fast upon her chin,
    Took fast upon her fair body--
      She burnt like hollins[244] green.

FOOTNOTES:

[235] birl’d = poured.

[236] gare = gore, in the skirt.

[237] cleiding = clothing.

[238] daws = dawns.

[239] rigg = ridge.

[240] sackless = innocent.

[241] linn = stream, pool.

[242] wyte = blame.

[243] May = Maid.

[244] hollins = holly.




_31. The Great Silkie of Sule Skerrie_


    I

    An earthly nourrice[245] sits and sings,
      And aye she sings, ‘Ba, lily wean!
    Little ken I my bairn’s father,
      Far less the land that he staps in.’

    II

    Then ane arose at her bed-fit,
      An’ a grumly guest I’m sure was he:
    ‘Here am I, thy bairn’s father,
      Although that I be not comèlie.

    III

    ‘I am a man, upo’ the lan’,
      An’ I am a silkie[246] in the sea;
    And when I’m far and far frae lan’,
      My dwelling is in Sule Skerrie.’

    IV

    ‘It was na weel,’ quo’ the maiden fair,
      ‘It was na weel, indeed,’ quo’ she,
    ‘That the Great Silkie of Sule Skerrie
      Suld hae come and aught[247] a bairn to me.’

    V

    Now he has ta’en a purse of goud,
      And he has pat it upo’ her knee,
    Sayin’, ‘Gie to me my little young son,
      An’ tak thee up thy nourrice-fee.

    VI

    ‘An’ it sall pass on a simmer’s day,
      When the sin shines het on evera stane,
    That I will tak my little young son,
      An’ teach him for to swim his lane[248].

    VII

    ‘An’ thu sall marry a proud gunner,
      An’ a proud gunner I’m sure he’ll be,
    An’ the very first schot that ere he schoots,
      He’ll schoot baith my young son and me.’

FOOTNOTES:

[245] nourrice = nurse.

[246] silkie = seal.

[247] aught = own.

[248] his lane = alone, without assistance.




_32. The Wife of Usher’s Well_


    I

    There lived a wife at Usher’s well,
      And a wealthy wife was she;
    She had three stout and stalwart sons,
      And sent them o’er the sea.

    II

    They hadna been a week from her,
      A week but barely ane,
    When word came to the carline[249] wife
      That her three sons were gane.

    III

    They hadna been a week from her,
      A week but barely three,
    When word came to the carline wife
      That her sons she’d never see.

    IV

    ‘I wish the wind may never cease,
      Nor fashes[250] in the flood,
    Till my three sons come hame to me
      In earthly flesh and blood!’

    V

    It fell about the Martinmas,
      When nights are lang and mirk,
    The carline wife’s three sons came hame,
      And their hats were o’ the birk.

    VI

    It neither grew in syke[251] nor ditch,
      Nor yet in ony sheugh[252];
    But at the gates o’ Paradise
      That birk grew fair eneugh.

    VII

    ‘Blow up the fire, my maidens!
      Bring water from the well!
    For a’ my house shall feast this night,
      Since my three sons are well.’

    VIII

    And she has made to them a bed,
      She’s made it large and wide;
    And she’s ta’en her mantle her about,
      Sat down at the bedside.

    IX

    Up then crew the red, red cock,
      And up and crew the gray;
    The eldest to the youngest said,
      ‘’Tis time we were away.’

    X

    The cock he hadna craw’d but once,
      And clapp’d his wings at a’,
    When the youngest to the eldest said,
      ‘Brother, we must awa’.

    XI

    ‘The cock doth craw, the day doth daw,
      The channerin’[253] worm doth chide;
    Gin we be miss’d out o’ our place,
      A sair pain we maun bide.’--

    XII

    ‘Lie still, lie still but a little wee while,
      Lie still but if we may;
    Gin my mother should miss us when she wakes,
      She’ll go mad ere it be day.’--

    XIII

    ‘Fare ye weel, my mother dear!
      Fareweel to barn and byre!
    And fare ye weel, the bonny lass
      That kindles my mother’s fire!’

FOOTNOTES:

[249] carline = old woman.

[250] fashes = troubles.

[251] syke = marsh.

[252] sheugh = trench.

[253] channerin’ = fretting.




_33. A Lyke-Wake Dirge_


    I

    This ae nighte, this ae nighte,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    Fire and fleet[254] and candle-lighte,
      _And Christe receive thy saule_.

    II

    When thou from hence away art past,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    To Whinny-muir thou com’st at last:
      _And Christe receive thy saule_.

    III

    If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    Sit thee down and put them on:
      _And Christe receive thy saule._

    IV

    If hosen and shoon thou ne’er gav’st nane
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane;
      _And Christe receive thy saule._

    V

    From whinny-muir when thou may’st pass,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    To Brig o’ Dread thou com’st at last;
      _And Christe receive thy saule._

    VI

    From Brig o’ Dread when thou may’st pass,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    To Purgatory fire thou com’st at last;
      _And Christe receive thy saule._

    VII

    If ever thou gavest meat or drink,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    The fire sall never make thee shrink;
      _And Christe receive thy saule._

    VIII

    If meat or drink thou ne’er gav’st nane,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    The fire will burn thee to the bare bane;
      _And Christe receive thy saule._

    IX

    This ae nighte, this ae nighte,
      --_Every nighte and alle_,
    Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,
      _And Christe receive thy saule_.

FOOTNOTES:

[254] fleet = floor. _Other readings are_ ‘sleet’ _and_ ‘salt’.




_34. The Unquiet Grave_


    I

    ‘The wind doth blow to-day, my love,
      And a few small drops of rain;
    I never had but one true-love;
      In cold grave she was lain.

    II

    ‘I’ll do as much for my true-love
      As any young man may;
    I’ll sit and mourn all at her grave
      For a twelvemonth and a day.’

    III

    The twelvemonth and a day being up,
      The dead began to speak:
    ‘Oh who sits weeping on my grave,
      And will not let me sleep?’--

    IV

    ‘’Tis I, my love, sits on your grave,
      And will not let you sleep;
    For I crave one kiss of your clay-cold lips,
      And that is all I seek.’--

    V

    ‘You crave one kiss of my clay-cold lips;
      But my breath smells earthy strong;
    If you have one kiss of my clay-cold lips,
      Your time will not be long.

    VI

    ‘’Tis down in yonder garden green,
      Love, where we used to walk,
    The finest flower that ere was seen
      Is wither’d to a stalk.

    VII

    ‘The stalk is wither’d dry, my love,
      So will our hearts decay;
    So make yourself content, my love,
      Till God calls you away.’




BOOK II




_35. Hynd Horn_


    I

    Hynd Horn’s bound, love, and Hynd Horn’s free,
      _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan;_
    Where was ye born, or in what countrie?
      _And the birk and the broom blows bonnie._

    II

    ‘In good greenwood, there I was born,
    And all my forbears me beforn.

    III

    ‘O seven long years I served the King,
    And as for wages I never gat nane;

    IV

    ‘But ae sight o’ his ae daughter.
    And that was thro’ an auger-bore.’

    V

    Seven long years he served the King,
    And it’s a’ for the sake of his daughter Jean.

    VI

    The King an angry man was he;
    He sent young Hynd Horn to the sea.

    VII

    He’s gi’en his luve a silver wand
    Wi’ seven silver laverocks[255] sittin’ thereon.

    VIII

    She’s gi’en to him a gay gold ring
    Wi’ seven bright diamonds set therein.

    IX

    ‘As lang’s these diamonds keep their hue,
    Ye’ll know I am a lover true:

    X

    ‘But when the ring turns pale and wan,
    Ye may ken that I love anither man.’

    XI

    He hoist up sails and awa’ sail’d he
    Till that he came to a foreign countrie.

    XII

    One day as he look’d his ring upon,
    He saw the diamonds pale and wan.

    XIII

    He’s left the seas and he’s come to the land,
    And the first that he met was an auld beggar man.

    XIV

    ‘What news, what news? thou auld beggar man,
    For it’s seven years sin I’ve seen land.’

    XV

    ‘No news,’ said the beggar, ‘no news at a’,
    But there is a wedding in the King’s ha’.

    XVI

    ‘But there is a wedding in the King’s ha’
    That has halden these forty days and twa.’

    XVII

    ‘Cast off, cast off thy auld beggar weed[256],
    And I’ll gi’e thee my gude grey steed:

    XVIII

    ‘And lend to me your wig o’ hair
    To cover mine, because it is fair.’--

    XIX

    ‘My begging weed is na for thee,
    Your riding steed is na for me.’

    XX

    But part by right and part by wrang
    Hynd Horn has changed wi’ the beggar man.

    XXI

    The auld beggar man was bound for to ride,
    But young Hynd Horn was bound for the bride.

    XXII

    When he came to the King’s gate,
    He sought a drink for Hynd Horn’s sake.

    XXIII

    The bride came trippin’ down the stair,
    Wi’ the scales o’ red gowd in her hair;

    XXIV

    Wi’ a cup o’ the red wine in her hand,
    And that she gae to the auld beggar man.

    XXV

    Out o’ the cup he drank the wine,
    And into the cup he dropt the ring.

    XXVI

    ‘O got ye this by sea or land?
    Or got ye it of a dead man’s hand?’--

    XXVII

    ‘I got it na by sea nor land,
    But I got it, madam, of your own hand.’

    XXVIII

    ‘O, I’ll cast off my gowns o’ brown,
    And beg with you frae town to town.

    XXIX

    ‘O, I’ll cast off my gowns o’ red,
    And I’ll beg wi’ you to win my bread.

    XXX

    ‘O I’ll take the scales o’ gowd frae my hair,
    And I’ll follow you for evermair.’

    XXXI

    She has cast awa’ the brown and the red,
    And she’s follow’d him to beg her bread.

    XXXII

    She has ta’en the scales o’ gowd frae her hair
    And she’s follow’d him for evermair.

    XXXIII

    But atween the kitchen and the ha’
    He has let his cloutie[257] cloak down fa’.

    XXXIV

    And the red gowd shinèd over him a’,
      _With a hey lillelu, and a how lo lan_;
    And the bride frae the bridegroom was stown[258] awa’,
      _And the birk and the broom blows bonnie_.

FOOTNOTES:

[255] laverocks = larks.

[256] weed = clothes.

[257] cloutie = full of clouts, patched.

[258] stown = stolen.




_36. Hynd Etin_


    I

    May Margaret sits in her bower door
      Sewing her silken seam;
    She heard a note in Elmond’s wood,
      And wish’d she there had been.

    II

    She loot[259] the seam fa’ frae her side,
      The needle to her tae[260],
    And she is on to Elmond’s wood
      As fast as she could gae.

    III

    She hadna pu’d a nut, a nut,
      Nor broken a branch but ane,
    Till by there came the Hynd Etin,
      Says, ‘Lady, lat alane.

    IV

    ‘O why pu’ ye the nut, the nut,
      Or why break ye the tree?
    For I am forester o’ this wood:
      Ye should spier[261] leave at me.’--

    V

    ‘I’ll ask leave at nae living man,
      Nor yet will I at thee;
    My father is king o’er a’ this realm,
      This wood belongs to me.’

    VI

    The highest tree in Elmond’s wood,
      He’s pu’d it by the reet[262],
    And he has built for her a bower
      Near by a hallow seat[263].

    VII

    He’s kept her there in Elmond’s wood
      For six lang years and ane,
    Till six pretty sons to him she bare,
      And the seventh she’s brought hame.

    VIII

    It fell out ance upon a day
      He’s to the hunting gane,
    And a’ to carry his game for him
      He’s tane his eldest son.

    IX

    ‘A question I will ask, father,
      Gin ye wadna angry be.’--
    ‘Say on, say on, my bonny boy,
      Ye’se nae be quarrell’d by me.’

    X

    ‘I see my mither’s cheeks aye weet,
      I never can see them dry;
    And I wonder what aileth my mither
      To mourn [sae constantly].’--

    XI

    ‘Your mither was a king’s daughtèr,
      Sprung frae a high degree;
    She might hae wed some worthy prince
      Had she na been stown[264] by me.

    XII

    ‘Your mither was a king’s daughtèr
      Of noble birth and fame,
    But now she’s wife o’ Hynd Etin,
      Wha ne’er gat christendame.

    XIII

    ‘But we’ll shoot the buntin’ o’ the bush,
      The linnet o’ the tree,
    And ye’se tak’ them hame to your dear mither,
      See if she’ll merrier be.’

    XIV

    It fell upon anither day,
      He’s to the hunting gane
    And left his seven [young] children
      To stay wi’ their mither at hame.

    XV

    ‘O I will tell to you, mither,
      Gin ye wadna angry be.’--
    ‘Speak on, speak on, my little wee boy,
      Ye’se nae be quarrell’d by me.’--

    XVI

    ‘As we came frae the hind-hunting,
      We heard fine music ring.’--
    ‘My blessings on you, my bonny boy,
      I wish I’d been there my lane.’

    XVII

    They wistna weel where they were gaen,
      Wi’ the stratlins[265] o’ their feet;
    They wistna weel where they were gaen,
      Till at her father’s yate[266].

    XVIII

    ‘I hae nae money in my pocket,
      But royal rings hae three;
    I’ll gie them you, my little young son,
      And ye’ll walk there for me.

    XIX

    ‘Ye’ll gi’e the first to the proud portèr
      And he will let you in;
    Ye’ll gi’e the next to the butler-boy
      And he will show you ben[267];

    XX

    ‘Ye’ll gi’e the third to the minstrel
      That plays before the King;
    He’ll play success to the bonny boy
      Came thro’ the wood him lane.’

    XXI

    He ga’e the first to the proud portèr
      And he open’d and let him in;
    He ga’e the next to the butler-boy,
      And he has shown him ben.

    XXII

    He ga’e the third to the minstrel
      That play’d before the King,
    And he play’d success to the bonny boy
      Came thro’ the wood him lane.

    XXIII

    Now when he came before the King,
      Fell low upon his knee;
    The King he turn’d him round about,
      And the saut tear blint[268] his e’e.

    XXIV

    ‘Win up, win up, my bonny boy,
      Gang frae my companie;
    Ye look sae like my dear daughtèr,
      My heart will burst in three.’--

    XXV

    ‘If I look like your dear daughtèr,
      A wonder it is none;
    If I look like your dear daughtèr,
      I am her eldest son.’--

    XXVI

    ‘Will ye tell me, ye little wee boy,
      Where may my Margaret be?’--
    ‘She’s just now standing at your yates,
      And my six brithers her wi’.’--

    XXVII

    ‘O where are a’ my porter-boys
      That I pay meat and fee,
    To open my yates baith wide and braid,
      Let her come in to me?’

    XXVIII

    When she cam’ in before the King,
      Fell low down on her knee:
    ‘Win up, win up, my daughter dear,
      This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’--

    XXIX

    ‘Ae bit I canna eat, father,
      Nor ae drop can I drink,
    Until I see my mither dear,
      For lang for her I think.’

    XXX

    When she cam’ in before the queen,
      Fell low down on her knee;
    ‘Win up, win up, my daughter dear,
      This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’--

    XXXI

    ‘Ae bit I canna eat, mither,
      Nor ae drop can I drink,
    Until I see my sister dear,
      For lang for her I think.’

    XXXII

    When that these twa sisters met,
      She hail’d her courteouslie;
    ‘Come ben, come ben, my sister dear,
      This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’--

    XXXIII

    ‘Ae bit I canna eat, sister,
      Nor ae drop can I drink,
    Until I see my dear husband,
      So lang for him I think.’--

    XXXIV

    ‘O where are a’ my rangers bold
      That I pay meat and fee,
    To search the forest far an’ wide,
      And bring Etin back to me?’

    XXXV

    Out it speaks the little wee boy:
      ‘Na, na, this mauna be;
    Without ye grant a free pardon,
      I hope ye’ll nae him see.’--

    XXXVI

    ‘O here I grant a free pardon,
      Well seal’d by my own han’;
    Ye may mak’ search for Young Etin
      As soon as ever ye can.’

    XXXVII

    They search’d the country wide and braid,
      The forests far and near,
    And they found him into Elmond’s wood,
      Tearing his yellow hair.

    XXXVIII

    ‘Win up, win up now, Hynd Etin,
      Win up an’ boun[269] wi’ me;
    We’re messengers come frae the court;
      The King wants you to see.’--

    XXXIX

    ‘O lat them tak’ frae me my head,
      Or hang me on a tree;
    For since I’ve lost my dear lady,
      Life’s no pleasure to me.’--

    XL

    ‘Your head will na be touch’d, Etin,
      Nor you hang’d on a tree;
    Your lady’s in her father’s court
      And a’ he wants is thee.’

    XLI

    When he cam’ in before the King,
      Fell low down on his knee;
    ‘Win up, win up now, Young Etin,
      This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’

    XLII

    But as they were at dinner set
      The wee boy ask’d a boon:
    ‘I wish we were in a good kirk
      For to get christendoun.

    XLIII

    ‘For we hae lived in gude green wood
      This seven years and ane;
    But a’ this time since e’er I mind
      Was never a kirk within.’--

    XLIV

    ‘Your asking’s na sae great, my boy,
      But granted it sall be;
    This day to gude kirk ye sall gang
      And your mither sall gang you wi’.’

    XLV

    When unto the gude kirk she came,
      She at the door did stan’;
    She was sae sair sunk down wi’ shame,
      She couldna come farther ben.

    XLVI

    Then out and spak’ the parish priest,
      And a sweet smile ga’e he:
    ‘Come ben, come ben, my lily-flower,
      Present your babes to me.’

    XLVII

    Charles, Vincent, Sam and Dick,
      And likewise John and James;
    They call’d the eldest Young Etin,
      Which was his father’s name.

FOOTNOTES:

[259] loot = let.

[260] tae = toe.

[261] spier = ask.

[262] reet = root.

[263] hallow seat = holy man’s or hermit’s cave.

[264] stown = stolen.

[265] stratlins =? stragglings.

[266] yate = gate.

[267] ben = further in.

[268] blint = blinded.

[269] boun = go.




_37. Erlinton_


    I

    Erlinton had a fair daughter;
      I wat he wear’d her in[270] a great sin;
    For he has built a bigly bower,
      And a’ to put that lady in.

    II

    An’ he has warn’d her sisters six,
      An’ sae has he her brethren se’en,
    Outher to watch her a’ the night,
      Or else to seek her morn an’ e’en.

    III

    She hadna been i’ that bigly bower,
      Na not a night but barely ane,
    Till there was Willie, her ain true love,
      Chapp’d[271] at the door, cryin’ ‘Peace within!’

    IV

    ‘O whae is this at my bower door,
      That chaps sae late, nor kens the gin[272]?’--
    ‘O it is Willie, your ain true love,
      I pray you rise an’ let me in.’--

    V

    ‘For a’ sae weel as I like ye, Willie,
      For a’ sae weel as I ken the gin,
    I wadna for ten thousand pounds, love,
      Na, no this night wad I let ye in.

    VI

    ‘But in the green-wood is a wake[273],
      And at the wake there is a wane[274],
    An’ there I’ll come as sune the morn, love,
      Na, no a mile but barely ane.

    VII

    ‘On my right hand I’ll have a glo’[275], love,
      And on my left hand I’ll have nane;
    I’ll have wi’ me my sisters six, love,
      And we will wauk the wood our lane[276].’

    VIII

    Then she’s gane to her bed again,
      She has layen till the cock crew thrice,
    An’ then she said to her sisters a’,
      ‘Maidens, ’tis time for us to rise.’

    IX

    She pat on her back her silken gown,
      An’ on her breast a siller pin,
    An’ she’s ta’en her sisters by the hand,
      An’ to the green-wood she is gane.

    X

    They hadna wauk’d in the bonny green-wood,
      Na no an hour but barely ane,
    Till up start Willie, her ain true love,
      Wha frae her sisters has her ta’en.

    XI

    An’ he has kiss’d her sisters six,
      An’ he has sent them hame again,
    But he has keepit his ain true love,
      Sayin’ ‘We’ll wauk the woods our lane.’

    XII

    They hadna wauk’d in the bonnie green-wood
      Na no an hour but barely ane,
    Till up start fifteen o’ the bravest outlaws
      That ever bare either blood or bane.

    XIII

    Then up bespake the foremost knight,--
      An’ O but he spake angrilỳ:
    Says, ‘Yield to me thy ladye bright,
      This night shall wauk the woods wi’ me.’--

    XIV

    ‘I like her weel, my ladye bright,
      And O my life but it lies me near!
    But before I lose my ladye bright
      I’ll rather lose my life sae dear.’

    XV

    But up an’ spake the second knight--
      I wat he spake right boustruslie--
    Says, ‘Baith your life an’ your ladye bright
      This night shall wauk the woods wi’ me.’--

    XVI

    ‘My ladye is my warldis meed[277]:
      My life I winna yield to nane;
    But if ye be men of your manheid,
      Ye’ll only fight me ane by ane.--

    XVII

    ‘O sit ye down, my dearest dear,
      Sit down an’ hold my milk-white steed,
    An’ see that ye dinna change your cheer
      Until ye see my body bleed.’

    XVIII

    He set his back unto an aik[278],
      He set his feet against a stane,
    He’s feightin a’ these fifteen outlaws,
      An’ kill’d them a’ but barely ane.

    XIX

    An’ he has gane to his ladye dear,
      I wat he kiss’d her cheek an’ chin--
    ‘Thou art mine ain, I have bought thee dear,
      An’ now we will wauk the woods our lane.’

FOOTNOTES:

[270] wear’d her in = led her into.

[271] chapp’d = knocked.

[272] gin = trick, or sleight, of the door-latch.

[273] wake (_obscure_).

[274] wane = dwelling, arbor.

[275] glo’ = glove.

[276] our lane = we alone.

[277] warldis meed = world’s reward, most precious thing in the world:
_or perhaps corrupted from_ warldis make, mate.

[278] aik = oak.




_38. Earl Brand_


    I

    O did ye ever hear o’ brave Earl Brand?
      _Ay lally, o lilly lally_
    He courted the King’s daughter o’ fair England
      _All i’ the night sae early_.

    II

    She was scarcely fifteen years that tide[279]
    Till sae boldly she came to his bedside.

    III

    ‘O Earl Bran’, fain wad I see
    A pack of hounds let loose on the lea.’--

    IV

    ‘O lady, I have no steeds but one,
    But thou shall ride, and I will run.’--

    V

    ‘O Earl Bran’, my father has two,
    And thou shall have the best of tho’.’--

    VI

    They have ridden o’er moss and moor,
    And they have met neither rich nor poor,

    VII

    Until they met with old Carl Hood:
    --He’s aye for ill and never for good.

    VIII

    ‘Earl Bran’, if ye love me,
    Seize this old carl, and gar him die.’--

    IX

    ‘O lady fair, it wad be sair
    To slay an old man that has grey hair.

    X

    ‘O lady fair, I’ll no do sae;
    I’ll gie him a pound and let him gae.’

    XI

    ‘O where hae ye ridden this lee-lang[280] day?
    Or where hae ye stolen this lady away?’--

    XII

    ‘I have not ridden this lee-lang day,
    Nor yet have I stolen this lady away.

    XIII

    ‘She is my only, my sick sistèr,
    Which I have brought from Winchester.’--

    XIV

    ‘If she be sick and like to dead,
    Why wears she the ribbon sae red?

    XV

    ‘If she be sick and like to die,
    Then why wears she the gold on high?’

    XVI

    When came the carl to this lady’s yett[281],
    Rudely, rudely he rapp’d thereat.

    XVII

    ‘O where’s the lady o’ this ha’?’--
    ‘She’s out with her maids to play at the ba’.’--

    XVIII

    ‘Ha, ha, ha! ye are a’ mista’en;
    Gae count your maidens o’er again.

    XIX

    ‘I met her far beyond the lea,
    With the young Earl Brand, his leman to be.’

    XX

    Her father arm’d of his men fifteen,
    And they’re ridden after them all-by-dene[282].

    XXI

    O’er her left shoulder the lady look’d then:
    ‘O Earl Bran’, we both are ta’en!’--

    XXII

    ‘If they come on me ane by ane,
    Ye may stand by and see them slain.

    XXIII

    ‘But if they come on me ane and all,
    Ye may stand by and see me fall.’

    XXIV

    They have come on him ane by ane,
    And fourteen men he has them slain.

    XXV

    But the fifteenth man behind stole round,
    And he’s gi’en him a deadly wound.

    XXVI

    But for a’ sae wounded as Earl Brand was
    He has set his lady on her horse.

    XXVII

    They rode till they came to the water o’ Doune.
    And there he lighted to wash his wound.

    XXVIII

    ‘O Earl Bran’, I see your heart’s bloud!’--
    ‘It’s na but the glent[283] o’ my scarlet hood.’

    XXIX

    They rode till they came to his mother’s yett,
    So faint and feebly he rapp’d thereat.

    XXX

    ‘O my son’s slain, he’s falling to swoun,
    And a’ for the sake of an English loun!’--

    XXXI

    ‘So say not sae, my dearest mother,
    But marry her to my youngest brother.

    XXXII

    ‘This has not been the death o’ ane,
    But it’s been the death o’ fair seventeen.’

FOOTNOTES:

[279] tide = time, season.

[280] lee-lang = live-long.

[281] yett = gate.

[282] all-by-dene = all together.

[283] glent = gleam.




_39. The Douglas Tragedy_


    I

    ‘Rise up, rise up, now Lord Douglas,’ she says,
      ‘And put on your armour so bright;
    Let it never be said that a daughter of thine
      Was married to a lord under night.

    II

    ‘Rise up, rise up, my seven bold sons,
      And put on your armour so bright,
    And take better care of your youngest sister,
      For your eldest’s awa the last night.’

    III

    He’s mounted her on a milk-white steed,
      And himself on a dapple grey,
    With a bugelet horn hung down his side;
      And lightly they rode away.

    IV

    Lord William look’d o’er his left shoulder,
      To see what he could see,
    And there he spy’d her seven brethren bold
      Come riding over the lea.

    V

    ‘Light down, light down, Lady Margret,’ he said,
      ‘And hold my steed in your hand,
    Until that against your seven brethren bold,
      And your father, I mak’ a stand.’

    VI

    O, there she stood, and bitter she stood,
      And never did shed one tear,
    Until that she saw her seven brethren fa’,
      And her father, who lov’d her so dear.

    VII

    ‘O hold your hand, Lord William!’ she said,
      ‘For your strokes they are wondrous sair;
    True lovers I can get many an ane,
      But a father I can never get mair.’

    VIII

    O she’s ta’en out her handkerchief,
      It was o’ the holland sae fine,
    And aye she dighted[284] her father’s wounds,
      That were redder than the wine.

    IX

    ‘O chuse, O chuse, Lady Margret,’ he said,
      ‘O whether will ye gang or bide?’
    ‘I’ll gang, I’ll gang, Lord William,’ she said,
    ‘For ye’ve left me no other guide.’

    X

    He’s lifted her on a milk-white steed,
      And himself on a dapple grey,
    With a bugelet horn hung down by his side;
      And slowly they baith rade away.

    XI

    O they rade on, and on they rade,
      And a’ by the light of the moon,
    Until they came to yon wan water,
      And there they lighted doun.

    XII

    They lighted doun to tak’ a drink
      Of the spring that ran sae clear,
    And doun the stream ran his gude heart’s blood,
      And sair she gan to fear.

    XIII

    ‘Hold up, hold up, Lord William,’ she says,
      ‘For I fear that you are slain.’--
    ‘’Tis naething but the shadow of my scarlet cloak,
      That shines in the water sae plain.’

    XIV

    O they rade on, and on they rade,
      And a’ by the light of the moon,
    Until they cam’ to his mother’s ha’ door,
      And there they lighted doun.

    XV

    ‘Get up, get up, lady mother,’ he says,
      ‘Get up, and let me in!
    Get up, get up, lady mother,’ he says,
      ‘For this night my fair lady I’ve win.

    XVI

    ‘O mak my bed, lady mother,’ he says,
      ‘O mak it braid and deep,
    And lay Lady Margret close at my back,
      And the sounder I will sleep.’

    XVII

    Lord William was dead lang ere midnight,
      Lady Margret lang ere day,
    And all true lovers that go thegither,
      May they have mair luck than they!

    XVIII

    Lord William was buried in St. Mary’s kirk,
      Lady Margret in Mary’s quire;
    Out o’ the lady’s grave grew a bonny red rose,
      And out o’ the knight’s a brier.

    XIX

    And they twa met, and they twa plat[285],
      And fain they wad be near;
    And a’ the warld might ken right weel
      They were twa lovers dear.

    XX

    But bye and rade the Black Douglas,
     And wow but he was rough!
    For he pull’d up the bonny brier,
      And flang ’t in St. Mary’s Lough.

FOOTNOTES:

[284] dighted = dressed.

[285] plat = pleated.




_40. Glasgerion_


    I

    Glasgerion was a King’s own son,
      And a harper he was good;
    He harpèd in the King’s chamber
      Where cup and candle stood,
    And so did he in the Queen’s chamber,
      Till ladies waxèd wood[286].

    II

    And then bespake the King’s daughter
      And these words thus said she:
    [‘There’s never a stroke comes over this harp,
      But it glads the heart of me.’]

    III

    Said, ‘Strike on, strike on, Glasgerion,
      Of thy striking do not blin[287];
    There’s never a stroke comes over thine harp
      But it glads my heart within.’

    IV

    ‘Fair might you fall, lady,’ quoth he;
      ‘Who taught you now to speak?
    I have loved you, lady, seven year;
      My heart I durst ne’er break.’--

    V

    ‘But come to my bower, my Glasgerion,
      When all men are at rest;
    As I am a lady true of my promise,
      Thou shalt be a welcome guest.’

    VI

    But home then came Glasgerion,
      A glad man, Lord, was he!
    ‘And come thou hither, Jack, my boy,
      Come hither unto me.

    VII

    ‘For the King’s daughter of Normandye
      Her love is granted me;
    And before the cock have crowen
      At her chamber must I be.’

    VIII

    ‘But come you hither, master,’ quoth he,
      ‘Lay your head down on this stone;
    For I will waken you, master dear,
      Afore it be time to gone.’

    IX

    But up then rose that lither[288] lad,
      And did on hose and shoon;
    A collar he cast upon his neck,
      He seemèd a gentleman.

    X

    And when he came to that lady’s chamber
      He tirl’d[289] upon a pin;
    The lady was true of her promise,
      Rose up and let him in.

    XI

    He did not kiss that lady gay
      When he came nor when he yode[290];
    And sore mistrusted that lady gay
      He was of some churle’s blood.

    XII

    But home then came that lither lad,
      And did off his hose and shoon,
    And cast that collar from ’bout his neck;
      He was but a churlè’s son:
    ‘Awaken,’ quoth he, ‘my master dear,
      I hold it time to be gone.

    XIII

    ‘For I have saddled your horse, master,
      Well bridled I have your steed;
    Have not I served a good breakfast
      When time comes I have need?’

    XIV

    But up then rose good Glasgerion,
      And did on both hose and shoon,
    And cast a collar about his neck;
      He was a Kingé’s son.

    XV

    And when he came to that lady’s chamber,
      He tirl’d upon a pin;
    The lady was more than true of her promise,
      Rose up, and let him in.

    XVI

    Says, ‘Whether have you left with me
      Your bracelet or your glove?
    Or are you back return’d again
      To know more of my love?’

    XVII

    Glasgerion swore a full great oath
      By oak and ash and thorn,
    ‘Lady, I was never in your chamber
      Sith the time that I was born.’--

    XVIII

    ‘O then it was your little foot-page
      Falsely hath beguiled me’:
    And then she pull’d forth a little pen-knife
      That hangèd by her knee,
    Says, ‘There shall never no churlè’s blood
      Spring within my bodye.’

    XIX

    But home then went Glasgerion,
      A woe man, Lord, was he;
    Sayes, ‘Come hither, thou Jack, my boy,
      Come thou hither to me.

    XX

    ‘For if I had kill’d a man to-night,
      Jack, I would tell it thee,
    But if I have not kill’d a man to-night,
      Jack, thou hast killéd three!’

    XXI

    And he pull’d out his bright brown sword,
      And dried it on his sleeve,
    And he smote off that lither lad’s head
      And ask’d no man no leave.

    XXII

    He set the sword’s point till his breast,
      The pommel till a stone;
    Through the falseness of that lither lad
      These three lives wern all gone.

FOOTNOTES:

[286] wood = crazy, wild with delight.

[287] blin = stint, cease.

[288] lither = rascally, vile.

[289] tirl’d = rattled.

[290] yode = went.




_41. King Estmere_


    I

    Hearken to me, gentlemen,
      Come and you shall heare;
    Ile tell you of two of the boldest brether
      That ever bornè were.

    II

    The tone of them was Adler Younge,
      The tother was Kyng Estmere;
    They were as bolde men in their deeds
      As any were, farr and neare.

    III

    As they were drinking ale and wine
      Within his brother’s hall,
    ‘When will ye marry a wyfe, brother,
      A wyfe to glad us all?’

    IV

    Then bespake him Kyng Estmere,
      And answered him hartilye:
    ‘I know not that ladye in any land,
      That’s able to marrye with mee.’--

    V

    ‘Kyng Adland hath a daughter, brother,
      Men call her bright and sheene;
    If I were kyng here in your stead,
      That ladye shold be my queene.’--

    VI

    Saies, ‘Reade me, reade me, deare brother,
      Throughout merry England,
    Where we might find a messenger
      Betwixt us towe to sende.’--

    VII

    Saies, ‘You shal ryde yourselfe, brother,
      Ile beare you companye;
    Many a man throughe fals messengers is deceived,
      And I feare lest soe shold wee.’

    VIII

    Thus they renisht[291] them to ryde,
      Of twoe good renisht steeds,
    And when they came to Kyng Adland’s halle,
      Of redd gold shone their weeds[292].

    IX

    And when they came to Kyng Adland’s halle,
      Before the goodlye gate,
    There they found good Kyng Adland
      Rearing[293] himselfe theratt.

    X

    ‘Now Christ thee save, good Kyng Adland;
      Now Christ you save and see.’--
    Sayd, ‘You be welcome, Kyng Estmere,
      Right hartilye to mee.’

    XI

    ‘You have a daughter,’ said Adler Younge,
      ‘Men call her bright and sheene;
    My brother wold marrye her to his wiffe,
      Of Englande to be queene.’--

    XII

    ‘Yesterday was att my deere daughter
      Kyng Bremor his sonne of Spayn,
    And then she nickèd[294] him of naye,
      And I doubt sheele do you the same.’--

    XIII

    ‘The Kyng of Spayne is a foule paynim,
      And ’lieveth on Mahound,
    And pitye it were that fayre ladye
      Shold marry a heathen hound.

    XIV

    ‘But grant to me,’ sayes Kyng Estmere,
      ‘For my love I you praye,
    That I may see your daughter deere
      Before I goe hence awaye.’--

    XV

    ‘Although itt is seven yeers and more
      Since my daughter was in halle,
    She shall come once downe for your sake,
      To glad my guestès alle.’

    XVI

    Downe then came that mayden fayre,
      With ladyes laced in pall[295],
    And halfe a hundred of bold knightes,
      To bring her from bowre to hall,
    And as many gentle squiers,
      To tend upon them all.

    XVII

    The talents of golde were on her head sette
      Hanged low downe to her knee,
    And everye ring on her small finger
      Shone of the chrystall free.

    XVIII

    Saies, ‘God you save, my deere madam,’
      Saies, ‘God you save and see!’--
    Said, ‘You be welcome, Kyng Estmere,
      Right welcome unto mee.

    XIX

    ‘And, if you love me, as you saye,
      Soe well and hartilee,
    All that ever you are comen about
      Soone sped now itt shal bee.’

    XX

    Then bespake her father deare:
      ‘My daughter, I saye naye;
    Remember well the Kyng of Spayne,
      What he sayd yesterdaye.

    XXI

    ‘He wold pull downe my halles and castles,
      And reave me of my lyfe;
    I cannot blame him if he doe,
      If I reave him of his wyfe.’--

    XXII

    ‘Your castles and your towres, father,
      Are stronglye built aboute,
    And therefore of the Kyng his sonne of Spaine
      Wee neede not stande in doubt.

    XXIII

    ‘Plight me your troth, nowe, Kyng Estmere,
      By heaven and your righte hand,
    That you will marrye me to your wyfe,
      And make me queene of your land.’

    XXIV

    Then Kyng Estmere he plight his troth,
      By heaven and his righte hand,
    That he wolde marrye her to his wyfe,
      And make her queene of his land.

    XXV

    And he tooke leave of that ladye fayre,
      To goe to his owne countree,
    To fetche him dukes and lordes and knightes,
      That marryed they might bee.

    XXVI

    They had not ridden scant a myle,
      A myle forthe of the towne,
    But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
      With kempès[296] many one.

    XXVII

    But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
      With manye a bold barone,
    Tone day to marrye Kyng Adland’s daughter,
      Tother daye to carrye her home.

    XXVIII

    Shee sent one after Kyng Estmere,
      In all the spede might bee,
    That he must either turne againe and fighte,
      Or goe home and loose his ladye.

    XXIX

    One whyle then the page he went,
      Another while he ranne;
    Till he had oretaken Kyng Estmere,
      I-wis he never blanne[297].

    XXX

    ‘Tydings, tydings, Kyng Estmere!’--
      ‘What tydings nowe, my boye?’--
    ‘O tydinges I can tell to you,
      That will you sore annoye.

    XXXI

    ‘You had not ridden scant a mile,
      A mile out of the towne,
    But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
      With kempès many a one:

    XXXII

    ‘But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
      With manye a bold barone,
    Tone daye to marrye Kyng Adland’s daughter,
      Tother daye to carry her home.

    XXXIII

    ‘My ladye fayre she greetes you well,
      And ever-more well by mee;
    You must either turne againe and fighte,
      Or goe home and loose your ladye.’--

    XXXIV

    Saies, ‘Reade me, reade me, deere brother,
      My reade shall ryse[298] at thee;
    Whether it is better to turne and fighte,
      Or goe home and loose my ladye.’

    XXXV

    ‘Now hearken to me,’ sayes Adler Yonge,
      ‘And your reade must rise at me;
    I quicklye will devise a waye
      To sette thy ladye free.

    XXXVI

    ‘My mother was a westerne woman,
      And learned in gramarye,
    And when I learnèd at the schole,
      Something shee taught itt mee.

    XXXVII

    ‘There growes an hearbe within this field,
      And iff it were but knowne,
    His color, which is whyte and redd,
      It will make blacke and browne.

    XXXVIII

    ‘His color, which is browne and blacke,
      Itt will make redd and whyte;
    That sworde is not in all Englande
      Upon his coate will byte.

    XXXIX

    ‘And you shal be a harper, brother,
      Out of the north countrye,
    And Ile be your boy, soe faine of fighte,
      And beare your harpe by your knee.

    XL

    ‘And you shal be the best harper
      That ever tooke harpe in hand,
    And I wil be the best singer
      That ever sung in this lande.

    XLI

    ‘Itt shal be written in our forheads,
      All and in grammarye,
    That we towe are the boldest men
      That are in all Christentye.’

    XLII

    And thus they renisht them to ryde,
      Of tow good renisht steedes,
    And when they came to Kyng Adland’s halle,
      Of redd gold shone their weedes.

    XLIII

    And whan they came to Kyng Adland’s halle
      Untill the fayre hall yate[299],
    There they found a proud portèr,
      Rearing himselfe thereatt.

    XLIV

    Sayes, ‘Christ thee save, thou proud porter,’
      Sayes, ‘Christ thee save and see!’--
    ‘Nowe you be welcome,’ sayd the porter,
      ‘Of what land soever ye bee.’

    XLV

    ‘Wee beenè harpers,’ sayd Adler Younge,
      ‘Come out of the northe countrye;
    Wee beenè come hither untill this place
      This proud weddinge for to see.’--

    XLVI

    Sayd, ‘And your color were white and redd,
      As it is blacke and browne,
    I wold saye Kyng Estmere and his brother
      Were comen untill this towne.’

    XLVII

    Then they pulled out a ryng of gold,
      Layd itt on the porter’s arme:
    ‘And ever we will thee, proud portèr,
      Thow wilt saye us no harme.’

    XLVIII

    Sore he looked on Kyng Estmere,
      And sore he handled the ryng,
    Then opened to them the fayre hall yates,
      He lett for no kind of thyng.

    XLIX

    Kyng Estmere he stabled his steede
      Soe fayre att the hall-bord;
    The froth that came from his brydle bitte
      Light in Kyng Bremor’s beard.

    L

    Saies, ‘Stable thy steed, thou proud harpèr,’
      Saies, ‘Stable him in the stalle;
    It doth not beseeme a proud harpèr
      To stable his steed in a kyng’s halle.’

    LI

    ‘My ladde he is so lither[300],’ he said,
      ‘He will doe nought that’s meete;
    And is there any man in this hall
      Were able him to beate?’

    LII

    ‘Thou speakst proud words,’ sayes the Kyng of Spaine,
      ‘Thou harper, here to mee;
    There is a man within this halle
      Will beate thy ladd and thee.’--

    LIII

    ‘O let that man come downe,’ he said,
      ‘A sight of him wold I see;
    And when hee hath beaten well my ladd,
      Then he shall beate of mee.’

    LIV

    Downe then came the kemperye man,
      And lookèd him in the eare;
    For all the gold that was under heaven,
      He durst not neigh[301] him neare.

    LV

    ‘And how nowe, kempe,’ said the Kyng of Spaine,
      ‘And how, what aileth thee?’--
    He saies, ‘It is writt in his forhead,
      All and in gramarye,
    That for all the gold that is under heaven,
      I dare not neigh him nye.’

    LVI

    Then Kyng Estmere pull’d forth his harpe,
      And play’d a pretty thinge;
    The ladye upstart from the borde,
      And wold have gone from the king.

    LVII

    ‘Stay thy harpe, thou proud harpèr,
      For God’s love I pray thee;
    For and thou playes as thou beginns,
      Thou’lt till[302] my bryde from mee.’

    LVIII

    He stroake upon his harpe againe,
      And play’d a pretty thinge;
    The ladye lough a loud laughter,
      As shee sate by the king.

    LIX

    Saies, ‘Sell me thy harpe, thou proud harpèr,
      And thy stringës all;
    For as many gold nobles thou shall have,
      As heere bee ringes in the hall.’

    LX

    ‘What wold ye doe with my harpe,’ he sayd,
      ‘If I did sell itt yee?’--
    ‘To playe my wiffe and me a fitt[303],
      When abed together wee bee.’

    LXI

    ‘Now sell me,’ quoth hee, ‘thy bryde soe gay,
      As shee sitts by thy knee;
    And as many gold nobles I will give
      As leaves been on a tree.’

    LXII

    ‘And what wold ye doe with my bryde soe gay,
      Iff I did sell her thee?
    More seemelye it is for her fayre bodye
      To lye by mee then thee.’

    LXIII

    Hee played agayne both loud and shrille,
      And Adler he did syng,
    ‘O ladye, this is thy owne true love,
      Noe harper, but a kyng.

    LXIV

    ‘O Ladye, this is thy owne true love,
      As playnlye thou mayest see,
    And Ile rid thee of that foule paynim
      Who partes thy love and thee.’

    LXV

    The ladye looked, the ladye blushte,
      And blushte and lookt agayne,
    While Adler he hath drawne his brande,
      And hath the Sowdan slayne.

    LXVI

    Up then rose the kemperye men,
      And loud they gan to crye:
    ‘Ah! traytors, yee have slayne our kyng,
      And therefore yee shall dye.’

    LXVII

    Kyng Estmere threwe the harpe asyde,
      And swith[304] he drew his brand,
    And Estmere he and Adler Yonge
      Right stiffe in stour[305] can stand.

    LXVIII

    And aye their swordes soe sore can byte,
      Throughe help of gramarye,
    That soone they have slayne the kempery men,
      Or forst them forth to flee.

    LXIX

    Kyng Estmere tooke that fayre ladye,
      And marryed her to his wiffe,
    And brought her home to merry England,
      With her to lead his life.

FOOTNOTES:

[291] renisht = _perhaps for_ ‘revisht’, dressed, arrayed.

[292] weeds = garments.

[293] rearing = leaning.

[294] nickèd = refused.

[295] pall = fine cloth.

[296] kempès = fighting-men.

[297] blanne = halted.

[298] My reade shall ryse = my counsel shall arise, or spring, from
thee.

[299] yate = gate.

[300] lither = naughty.

[301] neigh = come nigh, approach.

[302] till = entice.

[303] fitt = strain of music.

[304] swith = swiftly.

[305] stour = press of fighting.




_42. Fair Annie_


    I

    ‘It’s narrow, narrow, mak your bed,
      And learn to lie your lane;
    For I’m gaun owre the sea, Fair Annie,
      A braw Bride to bring hame.
    Wi’ her I will get gowd and gear,
      Wi’ you I ne’er gat nane.

    II

    ‘But wha will bake my bridal bread,
      Or brew my bridal ale?
    And wha will become my bright Bride,
      That I bring owre the dale?’--

    III

    ‘It’s I will bake your bridal bread,
      And brew your bridal ale;
    And I will welcome your bright Bride,
      That you bring owre the dale.’--

    IV

    ‘But she that welcomes my bright Bride
      Maun gang like maiden fair;
    She maun lace on her robe sae jimp[306],
      And comely braid her hair.

    V

    ‘Bind up, bind up your yellow hair,
      And tie it on your neck;
    And see you look as maiden-like
      As the day that first we met.’--

    VI

    ‘O how can I gang maiden-like,
      When maiden I am nane?
    Have I not borne six sons to thee,
      And am wi’ child again?’--

    VII

    ‘I’ll put cooks into my kitchen,
      And stewards in my hall,
    And I’ll have bakers for my bread,
      And brewers for my ale;
    But you’re to welcome my bright Bride,
      That I bring owre the dale.’

    VIII

    Three months and a day were gane and past,
      Fair Annie she gat word
    That her love’s ship was come at last,
      Wi’ his bright young Bride aboard.

    IX

    She’s ta’en her young son in her arms,
      Anither in her hand;
    And she’s gane up to the highest tower,
      Looks over sea and land.

    X

    ‘Come doun, come doun, my mother dear,
      Come aff the castle wa’!
    I fear if langer ye stand there,
      Ye’ll let yoursell doun fa’.’

    XI

    She’s ta’en a cake o’ the best bread,
      A stoup o’ the best wine,
    And a’ the keys upon her arm,
      And to the yett[307] is gane.

    XII

    ‘O ye’re welcome hame, my ain gude lord,
      To your castles and your towers;
    Ye’re welcome hame, my ain gude lord,
      To your ha’s, but and your bowers.
    And welcome to your hame, fair lady!
      For a’ that’s here is yours.’

    XIII

    ‘O whatna lady’s that, my lord,
      That welcomes you and me?
    Gin I be lang about this place,
      Her friend I mean to be.’

    XIV

    Fair Annie served the lang tables
      Wi’ the white bread and the wine;
    But ay she drank the wan water
      To keep her colour fine.

    XV

    And aye she served the lang tables
      Wi’ the white bread and the brown,
    And aye she turn’d her round about,
      Sae fast the tears fell doun.

    XVI

    She took a napkin lang and white,
      And hung it on a pin;
    It was to wipe away the tears,
      As she gaed out and in.

    XVII

    When bells were rung and mass was sung,
      And a’ men bound for bed,
    The bridegroom and the bonny Bride
      In ae chamber were laid.

    XVIII

    Fair Annie’s ta’en a harp in her hand,
      To harp thir twa asleep;
    But ay, as she harpit and she sang,
      Fu’ sairly did she weep.

    XIX

    ‘O gin my sons were seven rats,
      Rinnin’ on the castle wa’,
    And I mysell a great grey cat,
      I soon wad worry them a’!

    XX

    ‘O gin my sons were seven hares,
      Rinnin’ owre yon lily lea,
    And I mysell a good greyhound,
      Soon worried they a’ should be!’

    XXI

    Then out and spak the bonny young Bride,
      In bride-bed where she lay:
    ‘That’s like my sister Annie,’ she says;
      ‘Wha is it doth sing and play?

    XXII

    ‘I’ll put on my gown,’ said the new-come Bride,
      ‘And my shoes upon my feet;
    I will see wha doth sae sadly sing,
      And what is it gars her greet.

    XXIII

    ‘What ails you, what ails you, my housekeeper,
      That ye mak sic a mane?
    Has ony wine-barrel cast its girds,
      Or is a’ your white bread gane?’--

    XXIV

    ‘It isna because my wine is spilt,
      Or that my white bread’s gane;
    But because I’ve lost my true love’s love,
      And he’s wed to anither ane.’--

    XXV

    ‘Noo tell me wha was your father?’ she says,
      ‘Noo tell me wha was your mither?
    And had ye ony sister?’ she says,
      ‘And had ye ever a brither?’--

    XXVI

    ‘The Earl of Wemyss was my father,
      The Countess of Wemyss my mither,
    Young Elinor she was my sister dear,
      And Lord John he was my brither.’--

    XXVII

    ‘If the Earl of Wemyss was your father,
      I wot sae was he mine;
    And it’s O my sister Annie!
      Your love ye sallna tyne[308].

    XXVIII

    ‘Tak your husband, my sister dear;
      You ne’er were wrang’d for me,
    Beyond a kiss o’ his merry mouth
      As we cam owre the sea.

    XXIX

    ‘Seven ships, loaded weel,
      Cam owre the sea wi’ me;
    Ane o’ them will tak me hame,
      And six I’ll gie to thee.’

FOOTNOTES:

[306] jimp = slender, trim.

[307] yett = gate.

[308] tyne = lose.




_43. The Lass of Lochroyan_


    I

    ‘O wha will shoe my bonny foot?
      And wha will glove my hand?
    And wha will bind my middle jimp[309]
      Wi’ a lang, lang linen band?

    II

    ‘O wha will kame[310] my yellow hair,
      With a haw bayberry[311] kame?
    And wha will be my babe’s father
      Till Gregory come hame?’--

    III

    ‘Thy father, he will shoe thy foot,
      Thy brother will glove thy hand,
    Thy mither will bind thy middle jimp
      Wi’ a lang, lang linen band.

    IV

    ‘Thy sister will kame thy yellow hair,
      Wi’ a haw bayberry kame;
    The Almighty will be thy babe’s father
      Till Gregory come hame.’--

    V

    ‘And wha will build a bonny ship,
      And set it on the sea?
    For I will go to seek my love,
      My ain love Gregory.’

    VI

    Up then spak her father dear,
      A wafu’ man was he;
    ‘And I will build a bonny ship,
      And set her on the sea.

    VII

    ‘And I will build a bonny ship,
      And set her on the sea,
    And ye sal gae and seek your love,
      Your ain love Gregory.’

    VIII

    Then he’s gart build a bonny ship,
      And set it on the sea,
    Wi’ four-and-twenty mariners,
      To bear her company.

    IX

    O he’s gart build a bonny ship,
      To sail on the salt sea;
    The mast was o’ the beaten gold,
      The sails o’ cramoisie[312].

    X

    The sides were o’ the gude stout aik,
      The deck o’ mountain pine,
    The anchor o’ the silver shene,
      The ropes o’ silken twine.

    XI

    She hadna sail’d but twenty leagues,
      But twenty leagues and three,
    When she met wi’ a rank reiver[313],
      And a’ his companie.

    XII

    ‘Now are ye Queen of Heaven hie,
      Come to pardon a’ our sin?
    Or are ye Mary Magdalane,
      Was born at Bethlehem?’--

    XIII

    ‘I’m no the Queen of Heaven hie,
      Come to pardon ye your sin,
    Nor am I Mary Magdalane,
      Was born in Bethlehem.

    XIV

    ‘But I’m the lass of Lochroyan,
      That’s sailing on the sea
    To see if I can find my love,
      My ain love Gregory.’--

    XV

    ‘O see na ye yon bonny bower?
      It’s a’ covered owre wi’ tin?
    When thou hast sail’d it round about,
      Lord Gregory is within.’

    XVI

    And when she saw the stately tower,
      Shining both clear and bright,
    Whilk stood aboon the jawing[314] wave,
      Built on a rock of height,

    XVII

    Says, ‘Row the boat, my mariners,
      And bring me to the land,
    For yonder I see my love’s castle,
      Close by the salt sea strand.’

    XVIII

    She sail’d it round, and sail’d it round,
      And loud and loud cried she,
    ‘Now break, now break your fairy charms,
      And set my true-love free!’

    XIX

    She’s ta’en her young son in her arms,
      And to the door she’s gane,
    And long she knock’d, and sair she ca’d,
      But answer got she nane.

    XX

    ‘O open, open, Gregory!
      O open! if ye be within;
    For here’s the lass of Lochroyan,
      Come far fra kith and kin.

    XXI

    ‘O open the door, Lord Gregory!
      O open and let me in!
    The wind blows loud and cauld, Gregory,
      The rain drops fra my chin.

    XXII

    ‘The shoe is frozen to my foot,
      The glove unto my hand,
    The wet drops fra my yellow hair,
      Na langer dow[315] I stand.’

    XXIII

    O up then spak his ill mither,
      --An ill death may she die!
    ‘Ye’re no the lass of Lochroyan,
      She’s far out-owre the sea.

    XXIV

    ‘Awa’, awa’, ye ill woman,
      Ye’re no come here for gude;
    Ye’re but some witch or wil’ warlock,
      Or mermaid o’ the flood.’--

    XXV

    ‘I am neither witch nor wil’ warlock,
      Nor mermaid o’ the sea,
    But I am Annie of Lochroyan,
      O open the door to me!’--

    XXVI

    ‘Gin ye be Annie of Lochroyan,
      As I trow thou binna she,
    Now tell me of some love-tokens
      That pass’d ’tween thee and me.’

    XXVII

    ‘O dinna ye mind, love Gregory,
      As we sat at the wine,
    We changed the rings frae our fingers?
      And I can shew thee thine.

    XXVIII

    ‘O yours was gude, and gude enough,
      But ay the best was mine,
    For yours was o’ the gude red gowd,
      But mine o’ the diamond fine.

    XXIX

    ‘Yours was o’ the gude red gowd,
      Mine o’ the diamond fine;
    Mine was o’ the purest troth,
      But thine was false within.’--

    XXX

    ‘If ye be the lass of Lochroyan,
      As I kenna thou be,
    Tell me some mair o’ the love-tokens
      Pass’d between thee and me.’--

    XXXI

    ‘And dinna ye mind, love Gregory!
      As we sat on the hill,
    Thou twin’d me o’ my maidenheid,
      Right sair against my will?

    XXXII

    ‘Now open the door, love Gregory!
      Open the door! I pray;
    For thy young son is in my arms;
      And will be dead ere day.’--

    XXXIII

    ‘Ye lie, ye lie, ye ill woman,
      So loud I hear ye lie;
    For Annie of the Lochroyan
      Is far out-owre the sea.’

    XXXIV

    Fair Annie turn’d her round about:
      ‘Weel, sine that it be sae,
    May ne’er woman that has borne a son
      Hae a heart sae fu’ o’ wae!

    XXXV

    ‘Tak down, tak down that mast o’ gowd,
      Set up a mast of tree;
    It disna become a forsaken lady
      To sail sae royallie.’

    XXXVI

    When the cock had crawn, and the day did dawn,
      And the sun began to peep,
    Up then raise Lord Gregory,
      And sair, sair did he weep.

    XXXVII

    ‘O I hae dream’d a dream, mither,
      I wish it may bring good!
    That the bonny lass of Lochroyan
      At my bower window stood.

    XXXVIII

    ‘O I hae dream’d a dream, mither,
      The thought o’t gars me greet!
    That fair Annie of Lochroyan
      Lay dead at my bed-feet.’--

    XXXIX

    ‘Gin it be for Annie of Lochroyan
      That ye mak a’ this mane,
    She stood last night at your bower-door,
      But I hae sent her hame.’--

    XL

    ‘O wae betide ye, ill woman,
      An ill death may ye die!
    That wadna open the door yoursell
      Nor yet wad waken me.’

    XLI

    O he’s gane down to yon shore-side,
      As fast as he could dree,
    And there he saw fair Annie’s bark
      A rowing owre the sea.

    XLII

    ‘O Annie, Annie,’ loud he cried,
      ‘O Annie, O Annie, bide!’
    But ay the mair he cried ‘Annie,’
      The braider grew the tide.

    XLIII

    ‘O Annie, Annie, dear Annie,
      Dear Annie, speak to me!’
    But ay the louder he ’gan call,
      The louder roar’d the sea.

    XLIV

    The wind blew loud, the waves rose hie
      And dash’d the boat on shore;
    Fair Annie’s corpse was in the faem,
      The babe rose never more.

    XLV

    Lord Gregory tore his gowden locks
      And made a wafu’ moan;
    Fair Annie’s corpse lay at his feet,
      His bonny son was gone.

    XLVI

    O cherry, cherry was her cheek,
      And gowden was her hair,
    And coral, coral was her lips,
      Nane might with her compare!

    XLVII

    Then first he kiss’d her pale, pale cheek,
      And syne he kiss’d her chin,
    And syne he kiss’d her wane, wane lips,
      There was na breath within.

    XLVIII

    ‘O wae betide my ill mither,
      An ill death may she die!
    She turn’d my true-love frae my door,
      Who cam so far to me.

    XLIX

    ‘O wae betide my ill mither,
      An ill death may she die!
    She has no been the deid[316] o’ ane,
      But she’s been the deid of three.’

    L

    Then he’s ta’en out a little dart,
      Hung low down by his gore[317],
    He thrust it through and through his heart,
      And words spak never more.

FOOTNOTES:

[309] jimp = slim.

[310] kame = comb.

[311] haw bayberry =? _a corruption for_ ‘braw ivory’: _or_ bayberry
_may_ = laurel-wood.

[312] cramoisie = crimson.

[313] reiver = robber.

[314] jawing = surging.

[315] dow = can.

[316] deid = death.

[317] gore = skirt, waist.




_44. Young Bekie_


    I

    Young Bekie was as brave a knight
      As ever sail’d the sea;
    And he’s doen him to the court of France,
      To serve for meat and fee.

    II

    He had nae been i’ the court of France
      A twelvemonth nor sae long,
    Til he fell in love with the king’s daughter,
      And was thrown in prison strong.

    III

    The king he had but ae daughter,
      Burd Isbel was her name;
    And she has to the prison-house gane,
      To hear the prisoner’s mane.

    IV

    ‘O gin a lady wou’d borrow[318] me,
      At her stirrup-foot I wou’d rin;
    Or gin a widow wou’d borrow me,
      I wou’d swear to be her son.

    V

    ‘Or gin a virgin wou’d borrow me,
      I wou’d wed her wi’ a ring;
    I’d gie her ha’s, I’d gie her bowers,
      The bonny towrs o’ Linne.’

    VI

    O barefoot, barefoot gaed she but[319],
      And barefoot came she ben[320];
    It was no for want o’ hose and shoone,
      Nor time to put them on;

    VII

    But a’ for fear that her father dear
      Had heard her making din:
    She’s stown the keys o’ the prison-house door
      And latten the prisoner gang.

    VIII

    O whan she saw him, Young Bekie,
      Her heart was wondrous sair!
    For the mice but and the bold rottons[321]
      Had eaten his yallow hair.

    IX

    She’s gi’en him a shaver for his beard,
      A comber till his hair,
    Five hunder pound in his pocket,
      To spen’ and nae to spair.

    X

    She’s gi’en him a steed was good in need,
      An’ a saddle o’ royal bone[322],
    A leash o’ hounds o’ ae litter,
      And Hector callèd one.

    XI

    Atween this twa a vow was made,
      ’Twas made full solemnly.
    That or three years was come an’ gane,
      Well married they should be.

    XII

    He had nae been in ’s ain country
      A twelvemonth till an end,
    Till he’s forc’d to marry a duke’s daughter,
      Or than[323] lose a’ his land.

    XIII

    ‘Ohon, alas!’ says Young Bekie,
      ‘I know not what to dee;
    For I canno win to Burd Isbel,
      An’ she kensnae to come to me.’

    XIV

    O it fell once upon a day
      Burd Isbel fell asleep,
    And up it starts the Billy Blind[324],
      And stood at her bed-feet.

    XV

    ‘O waken, waken, Burd Isbel,
      How can you sleep so soun’,
    Whan this is Bekie’s wedding day,
      An’ the marriage gaïn on?

    XVI

    ‘Ye do ye to your mither’s bowr,
      Think neither sin nor shame;
    An’ ye tak twa o’ your mither’s marys[325],
      To keep ye frae thinking lang.

    XVII

    ‘Ye dress yoursel’ in the red scarlèt,
      An’ your marys in dainty green,
    An’ ye pit girdles about your middles
      Wou’d buy an earldome.

    XVIII

    ‘O ye gang down by yon sea-side,
      An’ down by yon sea-stran’;
    Sae bonny will the Hollan’s boats
      Come rowin’ till your han’.

    XIX

    ‘Ye set your milke-white foot abord,
      Cry, Hail ye, Domine!
    An’ I shal be the steerer o’t,
      To row you o’er the sea.’

    XX

    She’s tane her till her mither’s bowr,
      Thought neither sin nor shame,
    And she took twa o’ her mither’s marys,
      To keep her frae thinking lang.

    XXI

    She dress’d hersel’ i’ the red scarlèt,
      Her marys i’ dainty green,
    And they pat girdles about their middles
      Wou’d buy an earldome.

    XXII

    And they gid down by yon sea-side,
      And down by yon sea-stran’;
    Sae bonny did the Hollan’s boats
      Come rowin’ to their han’.

    XXIII

    She set her milke-white foot on board,
      Cried, Hail ye, Domine!
    And the Billy Blind was the steerer o’t,
      To row her o’er the sea.

    XXIV

    Whan she came to young Bekie’s gate,
      She heard the music play;
    Sae well she kent frae a’ she heard,
      It was his wedding day.

    XXV

    She’s pitten her han’ in her pocket,
      Gi’en the porter guineas three;
    ‘Hae, tak ye that, ye proud portèr,
      Bid the bride-groom speake to me.’

    XXVI

    O whan that he cam up the stair,
      He fell low down on his knee:
    He hail’d the king, and he hail’d the queen,
      And he hail’d him, Young Bekie.

    XXVII

    ‘O I’ve been porter at your gates
      This thirty years an’ three;
    But there’s three ladies at them now,
      Their like I never did see.

    XXVIII

    ‘There’s ane o’ them dress’d in red scarlèt,
      An’ twa in dainty green,
    An’ they hae girdles about their middles
      Wou’d buy an earldome.’

    XXIX

    Then out it spake the bierly[326] bride,
      Was a’ goud to the chin;
    ‘Gin she be braw without,’ she says,
      ‘We’s be as braw within.’

    XXX

    Then up it starts him, Young Bekie,
      And the tears was in his e’e:
    ‘I’ll lay my life it’s Burd Isbel,
      Come o’er the sea to me.’

    XXXI

    O quickly ran he down the stair,
      And whan he saw ’t was shee,
    He kindly took her in his arms,
      And kiss’d her tenderly.

    XXXII

    ‘O hae ye forgotten, Young Bekie,
      The vow ye made to me,
    Whan I took you out o’ the prison strong,
      Whan ye was condemn’d to die?

    XXXIII

    ‘I gae you a steed was good in need,
      An’ a saddle o’ royal bone,
    A leash o’ hounds o’ ae litter,
      An’ Hector callèd one.’

    XXXIV

    It was well kent what the lady said,
      That it wasnae a lee,
    For at ilka word the lady spake,
      The hound fell at her knee.

    XXXV

    ‘Tak hame, tak hame your daughter dear,
      A blessing gae her wi’!
    For I maun marry my Burd Isbel,
      That’s come o’er the sea to me.’

    XXXVI

    ‘Is this the custom o’ your house,
      Or the fashion o’ your lan’,
    To marry a maid in a May mornin’,
      An’ to send her back at even?’

FOOTNOTES:

[318] borrow = ransom.

[319] but = out.

[320] ben = in.

[321] rottons = rats.

[322] royal bone = ivory.

[323] Or than = Or else.

[324] Billy Blind = a friendly household fairy. See p. 80.

[325] marys = maids.

[326] bierly = stately.




_45. Young Beichan_

(_Another version of the foregoing_)


    I

    In London was Young Beichan born,
      He long’d strange countries for to see;
    But he was ta’en by a savage Moor
      Who handled him right cruellie.

    II

    For he view’d the fashions of that land,
      Their way of worship viewèd he;
    But to Mahound or Termagant
      Would Beichan never bend a knee.

    III

    So thro’ every shoulder they’ve bored a bore,
      And thro’ every bore they’ve putten a tree,
    And they have made him trail the wine
      And spices on his fair bodie.

    IV

    They’ve casten him in a dungeon deep,
      Where he could neither hear nor see;
    And fed him on nought but bread and water
      Till he for hunger’s like to die.

    V

    This Moor he had but ae daughter,
      Her name was callèd Susie Pye,
    And every day as she took the air
      She heard Young Beichan sadly crie:

    VI

    ‘My hounds they all run masterless,
      My hawks they flie from tree to tree,
    My youngest brother will heir my lands;
      Fair England again I’ll never see!

    VII

    ‘O were I free as I hae been,
      And my ship swimming once more on sea,
    I’d turn my face to fair England
      And sail no more to a strange countrie!’

    VIII

    Young Beichan’s song for thinking on
      All night she never closed her e’e;
    She’s stown[327] the keys from her father’s head
      Wi’ mickle gold and white monie.

    IX

    And she has open’d the prison doors:
      I wot she open’d twa or three
    Ere she could come Young Beichan at,
      He was lock’d up so curiouslie.

    X

    ‘O hae ye any lands or rents,
      Or cities in your own countrie,
    Cou’d free you out of prison strong
      And cou’d maintain a lady free?’--

    XI

    ‘O London city is my own,
      And other cities twa or three;
    I’ll give them all to the lady fair
      That out of prison will set me free.’

    XII

    O she has bribed her father’s men
      Wi’ mickle gold and white monie,
    She’s gotten the keys of the prison strong,
      And she has set Young Beichan free.

    XIII

    She’s fed him upon the good spice-cake,
      The Spanish wine and the malvoisie;
    She’s broken a ring from off her finger
      And to Beichan half of it gave she.

    XIV

    ‘Go set your foot on good shipboard,
      And haste you back to your own countrie,
    But before that seven years has an end,
      Come back again, love, and marry me.’

    XV

    It was long or seven years had an end
      She long’d full sore her love to see;
    So she’s set her foot on good ship-board
      And turn’d her back on her own countrie.

    XVI

    She’s sailèd east, she’s sailèd west,
      She’s sailèd all across the sea,
    And when she came to fair England
      The bells were ringing merrilie.

    XVII

    ‘O whose are a’ yon flock o’ sheep?
      And whose are a’ yon flock o’ kye[328]?
    And whose are a’ yon pretty castles,
      That I so often do pass by?’

    XVIII

    ‘O they are a’ Lord Beichan’s sheep,
      And they are a’ Lord Beichan’s kye,
    And they are a’ Lord Beichan’s castles
      That you so often do pass by.

    XIX

    ‘O there’s a wedding in yonder ha’,
      Has lasted thirty days and three;
    Lord Beichan will not bed wi’ his bride
      For love of one that’s ’yond the sea.’

    XX

    When she came to Young Beichan’s gate
      She tirlèd[329] softly at the pin;
    So ready was the proud portèr
      To open and let this lady in.

    XXI

    ‘Is this Young Beichan’s gates?’ she says,
      ‘Or is that noble lord within?’--
    ‘He’s up the stairs wi’ his bonny bride,
      For this is the day o’ his weddin’.’--

    XXII

    ‘O has he taken a bonny bride,
      And has he clean forgotten me?’
    And sighing said that ladye gay,
      ‘I wish I were in my own countrie!’

    XXIII

    She’s putten her hand in her pockèt
      And gi’en the porter guineas three;
    Says, ‘Take ye that, ye proud portèr,
      And bid the bridegroom speak with me.’

    XXIV

    And she has ta’en her gay gold ring,
      That with her love she brake so free;
    Says, ‘Gie him that, ye proud portèr,
      And bid the bridegroom speak with me.’

    XXV

    O when the porter came up the stair,
      He’s kneelèd low upon his knee:
    ‘Won[330] up, won up, ye proud portèr,
      And what makes a’ this courtesie?’--

    XXVI

    ‘O I’ve been porter at your gates
      I’m sure this thirty years and three,
    But there is a lady stands thereat
      The fairest I did ever see.’

    XXVII

    It’s out then spake the bride’s mother,
      --Aye, and an angry woman was she--
    ‘Ye might have excepted our bonny bride,
      And twa or three of our companie.’

    XXVIII

    ‘My dame, your daughter’s fair enough,
      And aye the fairer mote she be!
    But the fairest time that ever she was,
      She’ll no compare wi’ this ladye.

    XXIX

    ‘For on every finger she has a ring,
      And on the mid-finger she has three,
    And as mickle gold she has on her brow
      ’Would buy an earldome o’ land to me.

    XXX

    ‘And this golden ring that’s broken in twa,
      She sends the half o’ this golden ring,
    And bids you speak with a lady fair,
      That out o’ prison did you bring.’

    XXXI

    Then up and started Young Beichan
      And sware so loud by Our Ladye,
    ‘It can be none but Susie Pye,
      That has come over the sea to me!

    XXXII

    O quickly ran he down the stair,
      Of fifteen steps he made but three;
    He’s ta’en his bonny love in his arms
      And kiss’d and kiss’d her tenderlie.

    XXXIII

    ‘O have ye ta’en another bride,
      And have ye quite forsaken me?
    And have ye clean forgotten her
      That gave you life and libertie?’

    XXXIV

    She’s lookèd over her left shoulder
      To hide the tears stood in her e’e;
    ‘Now fare-thee-well, Young Beichan,’ she says--
      ‘I’ll strive to think no more on thee.’

    XXXV

    ‘O never, never, Susie Pye,
      For surely this can never be,
    That ever I shall wed but her
      That’s done and dreed[331] so much for me!’

    XXXVI

    Then up bespake the bride’s mother--
      She never was heard to speak so free:
    ‘Ye’ll not forsake my only daughter,
      Though Susie Pye has cross’d the sea.’

    XXXVII

    ‘Take home, take home your daughter, madam,
      She’s never a bit the worse for me;
    For saving a kiss of her bonny lips
      Of your daughter’s body I am free.’

    XXXVIII

    He’s ta’en her by the milk-white hand
      And led her to yon fountain-stone[332];
    He’s changed her name from Susie Pye
      And call’d her his bonny love Lady Joan.

FOOTNOTES:

[327] stown = stolen.

[328] kye = kine, cattle.

[329] tirlèd = rattled.

[330] won = win, get.

[331] dreed = suffered.

[332] fountain-stone = font.




_46. Childe Waters_


    I

    Childe Waters in his stable stood
      Stroking his milk-white steed:
    To him came a fair young lady
      As ever wore woman’s weed.

    II

    Says, ‘Christ you save, Childe Waters!’
      Says, ‘Christ you save and see!
    My girdle of gold, which was too long,
      Is now too short for me.

    III

    ‘And all is with one child of yours
      I feel stir at my side:
    My gown of green, it is too strait;
      Before it was too wide.’--

    IV

    ‘If the child be mine, Burd Ellen,’ he said,
      ‘Be mine as you do swear,
    Take you Cheshire and Lancashire both,
      And make that child your heir.’

    V

    She says, ‘I would rather have one kiss,
      Childe Waters, of thy mouth
    Than I would have Cheshire and Lancashire both,
      That lies by north and south.’--

    VI

    ‘To-morrow, Ellen, I must ride
      Far into the north countrye.’--
    ‘Then I will run low by your side:
      Your foot-page let me be!’--

    VII

    ‘If you will be my foot-page, Ellen,
      As you do tell it me,
    Then you must cut your gown of green
      An inch above your knee.’

    VIII

    Childe Waters leapt on his milk-white steed,
      And fast away did ride:
    Burd Ellen has kilted her gay clothing,
      And ran low by his side.

    IX

    All this long day Childe Waters rode,
      She barefoot by his side;
    Yet was he never so courteous a knight
      As to say, ‘Burd Ellen, ride.’

    X

    He has ridden, and she has run,
      And barefoot through the broom;
    Yet was he never so courteous a knight
      As to say, ‘Put on your shoon.’

    XI

    ‘Ride softly,’ she said, ‘Childe Waters!
      O why do you ride so fast?
    The child which is no man’s but yours
      My body it will brast.’

    XII

    He has ridden on high horseback,
      And she’s run low beside,
    Until they came to a wan water--
      I think men call it Clyde.

    XIII

    Says, ‘See’st yon water, Ellen,
      That flows from bank to brim?’--
    ‘I trust to God, Childe Waters
      You will never see me swim.’

    XIV

    The firsten step Burd Ellen stept,
      The water came to her knee;
    ‘Ochon, alas!’ said Burd Ellen,
      ‘This water’s o’er deep for me!’

    XV

    The neisten step Burd Ellen stept,
      The water came to her middle;
    And sighing said Burd Ellen,
      ‘I’ve wetted my golden girdle!’

    XVI

    The thirden step Burd Ellen slept,
      The water came to her pap;
    And the bairn that was in her two sides
      For cold began to quake.

    XVII

    ‘Lie still, lie still, my own dear babe!
      Ye work your mother woe;
    Your father that rides on high horseback
      Cares little for us two.’

    XVIII

    About the midst of Clyde-water
      There was a yeard-fast[333] stone:
    He lightly turn’d his horse about
      And took Burd Ellen on.

    XIX

    When she over the water won,
      She then came to his knee:
    Says, ‘How far is it to your lodgin’
      Where we this night may be?’--

    XX

    ‘Seest thou not yon castle, Ellen?
      Of red gold shines the gate:
    There is twenty-and-four fair ladies
      And one my worldly mate.

    XXI

    ‘Seest thou not yon castle, Ellen?
      Of red gold shines the tower:
    There is twenty-and-four fair ladies,
      And one my paramour.

    XXII

    ‘Seest thou not yon castle, Ellen,
      That shines so fair to see?
    There’s a lady in it, Ellen,
      Will sunder you and me.’--

    XXIII

    ‘I do see the castle, Childe Waters:
      Of red gold shines the gate.
    God give you good then of yourself,
      And of your worldly mate!

    XXIV

    ‘I wish no ill to your lady;
      She ne’er wish’d none to me;
    But I wish the maid most of your love
      Dries[334] this and more for thee.

    XXV

    ‘I wish no ill to your lady;
      She ne’er comes in my thought;
    But I wish the maid most of your love
      That dearest has you bought.’--

    XXVI

    ‘But my hounds shall eat of the bread of wheat,
      And you of the bread of bran;
    And you shall curse the heavy hour
      That ever your love began.

    XXVII

    ‘But my horse shall drink of the good red wine,
      And you of the water wan;
    And you will sigh and say “Alas,
      That ever I loved a man!”’--

    XXVIII

    ‘O, I will drink of the wan water,
      And eat of the bread of bran;
    And aye will I bless the happy hour
      That ever I loved a man.’

    XXIX

    O four-and-twenty gay ladies
      Were playing at the ball,
    But Ellen, the fairest lady,
      Must bring his steed to stall.

    XXX

    And four-and-twenty gay ladies
      Were playing at the chess,
    But Ellen, the fairest lady,
      Must bring his horse to grass.

    XXXI

    When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
      And a’ men bound to meat,
    Burd Ellen was at the bye-table
      Among the foot-men set.

    XXXII

    ‘O eat and drink, my bonny boy,
      The white bread and the beer.’--
    ‘The never a bit can I eat or drink,
      My heart’s so full of fear.’--

    XXXIII

    ‘O eat and drink, my bonny boy,
      The white bread and the wine.’--
    ‘O I cannot eat nor drink, master,
      My heart’s so full of pine[335].’

    XXXIV

    But out and spake Childe Waters’ mother,
      And a skilly[336] dame was she:
    ‘Where met ye with that little foot-page
      That looks so sad on thee?

    XXXV

    ‘Sometimes his cheek is rosy red,
      And sometimes deadly wan;
    He’s liker a woman big with bairn
      Than a young lord’s serving-man.’

    XXXVI

    And then bespake Childe Waters’ sister,
      And these were the words said she:
    ‘You have the prettiest foot-page, brother,
      Let him go into chamber with me.’--

    XXXVII

    ‘It is more meet for a little foot-page,
      That has run through moss and mire,
    To take his supper upon his knee,
      And sit by the kitchen fire,
    Than to go into chamber with any lady
      That wears so rich attire.

    XXXVIII

    ‘Rise up, rise up, my bonny boy;
      Give my horse corn and hay.’--
    ‘O that I will, my master dear,
      As quickly as I may.’

    XXXIX

    She’s ta’en the hay under her arm,
      The corn into her hand,
    And she’s gone to the great stable
      As fast as e’er she can.

    XL

    ‘O room ye round, my bonny brown steeds!
      O room ye near the wall!
    For this pain that strikes me through my sides
      Full soon will gar me fall.’

    XLI

    She’s lean’d her back against the wall,
      Strong travail seized her on;
    And even among the great horse’ feet
      Burd Ellen brought forth her son.

    XLII

    And that beheard Childe Waters’ mother,
      Sat in her bower alone.
    ‘Rise up, rise up, Childe Waters,’ she said,
      ‘Seek neither hose nor shoon!’

    XLIII

    She said, ‘Rise up, thou Childe Waters,
      I think thou’rt a cursèd man;
    For yonder’s a ghost in thy stable
      That grievously doth groan,
    Or else some woman labours of child,
      She is so woe-begone.’

    XLIV

    But up then rose Childe Waters,
      Stay’d neither for hose nor shoon,
    And he’s doen him to the stable-door
      Wi’ the clear light of the moon.

    XLV

    And when he came to the stable-door,
      Full still there he did stand,
    That he might hear Burd Ellen,
      How she made her monand[337].

    XLVI

    She said, ‘Lullabyè, my own dear child!
      Lùllabye, dear child dear!
    I would thy father were a king,
      Thy mother laid on a bier!’--

    XLVII

    ‘O open the door, Burd Ellen!
      O open and let me in!
    I want to see if my steed be fed,
      Or my greyhounds fit to rin.’--

    XLVIII

    ‘How can I open, how shall I open,
      How can I open to thee,
    When lying amang your great steeds’ feet,
      Your young son on my knee?’

    XLIX

    He strack the door hard wi’ his foot,
      And push’d it wi’ his knee;
    And iron locks and iron bars
      Into the floor flung he.
    ‘Be not afraid, Burd Ellen,’ he says,
      ‘There’s none comes in but me.’

    L

    ‘An asking, an asking, Childe Waters,
      An asking I beg of thee:
    May the meanest maid about your house
      Bring a glass o’ water to me!’

    LI

    Up he has ta’en his bonny young son,
      Gar’d wash him wi’ the milk;
    And up he has taken his fair lady,
      Gar’d row[338] her in the silk.

    LII

    ‘Peace now,’ he said, ‘Burd Ellen,
      And be of good cheer, I pray;
    Your bridal and your churching both
      Shall be upon one day.’

FOOTNOTES:

[333] yeard-fast = fast in earth.

[334] Dries = endures.

[335] pine = pain.

[336] skilly = wise, knowledgeable.

[337] monand = moaning.

[338] row = wrap.




_47. Childe Maurice_


    I

    Childe Maurice hunted the Silver Wood,
      He whistled and he sang:
    ‘I think I see the woman yonder
      That I have lovèd lang.’

    II

    He callèd to his little man John,
      ‘You don’t see what I see;
    For yonder I see the very first woman
      That ever lovèd me.’

    III

    He says, ‘Come hither, my little man John,
      That I pay meat and fee,
    For thou shalt go to John Steward’s wife
      And greet her well from me;

    IV

    ‘And as it falls as many times
      As knots be knit in a kell[339],
    Or merchantmen go to leeve[340] Londòn
      To buy ware or to sell;

    V

    ‘And as it falls as many times
      As any heart can think,
    Or school-masters are in any school
      Writing with pen and ink.

    VI

    ‘Here is a glove, a glove,’ he says,
      ‘Lined wi’ the silver-gris[341];
    Bid her to come to Silver Wood
      To speak with Childe Maurice.

    VII

    ‘And here is a ring, a ring,’ he says,
      ‘A ring of the precious stone:
    He prays her come to Silver Wood
      And ask the leave of none.’--

    VIII

    ‘Well do I love your errand, master,
      But better I love my life.
    Would ye have me go to John Steward’s castle,
      To tryst away his wife?’--

    IX

    ‘Do not I give you meat?’ he says,
      ‘Do not I give you fee?
    How daur you stop my errand
      When that I bid you flee?’

    X

    This little man John one while he yode[342],
      Another while he ran;
    Until he came to John Steward’s castle
      I wis he never blan[343].

    XI

    He ask’d no porter’s leave, but ran
      Up hall and bower free,
    And when he came to John Steward’s wife,
      Says, ‘God you save and see!

    XII

    ‘I come, I am come from Childe Maurice--
      A message unto thee!
    And Childe Maurice he greets you well,
      And ever so well from me,

    XIII

    ‘And as it falls as oftentimes
      As knots be knit in a kell,
    Or merchantmen go to leeve Londòn
      To buy ware or to sell;

    XIV

    ‘And as oftentimes he greets you well
      As any heart can think,
    Or schoolmasters are in any school
      Writing with pen and ink.

    XV

    ‘Here is a glove, a glove,’ he says,
      ‘Lined wi’ the silver-gris;
    Ye’re bidden to come to Silver Wood
      To speak with Childe Maurice.

    XVI

    ‘And here is a ring, a ring of gold,
      Set wi’ the precious stone:
    He prays you to come to Silver Wood
      And ask the leave of none.’--

    XVII

    ‘Now peace, now peace, thou little man John,
      For Christ’s sake I pray thee!
    For gif my lord heard one o’ thy words
     Thou must be hangèd hie!’

    XVIII

    O aye she stampèd with her foot
      And winkèd with her e’e;
    But for all that she could say or do
      Forbidden he would not be.

    XIX

    ‘It’s surely to my bower-woman,
      It cannot be to me!’--
    ‘Nay, I brought it to John Steward’s lady,
      And I trow that thou art she.’

    XX

    Out then spake the wily nurse,
      Wi’ the bairn just on her knee:
    ‘If this be come from Childe Maurice
      It’s dear welcome to me.’--

    XXI

    ‘Thou liest, thou liest, thou wily nurse,
      So loud as I hear thee lie!
    I brought it to John Steward’s lady,
      And I trow thou be not she.’

    XXII

    Then up and rose him John Steward,
      And an angry man was he:
    ‘Did I think there was a lord in the world
      My lady loved but me!’

    XXIII

    He struck the table wi’ his foot,
      And kepp’d[344] it with his knee,
    Till silver cup and ezar[345] dish
      In flinders they did flee.

    XXIV

    He call’d unto his horse-keeper,
      ‘Make ready you my steed!’
    So did he to his chamberlain,
      ‘Go fetch my lady’s weed[346]!’

    XXV

    O he dress’d himself in the holland smock,
      [The mantle and the snood],
    And he cast a lease[347] upon his back,
      And he rode to Silver Wood.

    XXVI

    And when he came to Silver Wood,
      No body saw he there
    But Childe Maurice upon a block
      Combing his yellow hair.

    XXVII

    Childe Maurice sat in Silver Wood,
      He whistled and he sang:
    ‘I think I see the woman come
      That I have lovèd lang.’

    XXVIII

    But then stood up him Childe Maurice
      His mother to help from horse:
    ‘O alas, alas!’ says Childe Maurice,
      ‘My mother was ne’er so gross!’

    XXIX

    ‘No wonder, no wonder,’ John Steward he said,
      ‘My lady loved thee well,
    For the fairest part of my body
      Is blacker than thy heel.’

    XXX

    John Steward had a little brown sword
      That hung low down by his knee;
    He has cut the head off Childe Maurice
      And the body put on a tree.

    XXXI

    And he prick’d the head on his sword’s point,
      Went singing there beside,
    And he rode till he came to the castle
      Whereas his lady ly’ed[348].

    XXXII

    And when he came to his lady--
      Look’d o’er the castle-wall--
    He threw the head into her lap,
      Saying ‘Lady, tak’[349] the ball!’

    XXXIII

    Says, ‘Dost thou know Childe Maurice’ head,
      If that thou dost it see?
    And lap it soft, and kiss it oft,
      For thou loved’st him better than me.’

    XXXIV

    But when she look’d on Childe Maurice’ head
      She ne’er spake words but three:
    ‘I never bare no child but one,
      And you have slain him, trulye.’

    XXXV

    And she has taken the bloody head
      And kiss’d it, cheek and chin:
    ‘I was once as full o’ Childe Maurice
      As the hip is o’ the stane.

    XXXVI

    ‘I got him in my mother’s bower
      Wi’ mickle sin and shame;
    I brought him up in the good greenwood
      Under the shower and rain.’

    XXXVII

    And she has taken her Childe Maurice
      And kiss’d him, mouth and chin:
    ‘O better I love my Childe Maurice
      Than all my royal kin!’

    XXXVIII

    ‘Woe be to thee!’ John Steward he said,
      And a woe, woe man was he;
    ‘For if you had told me he was your son
      He had never been slain by me.’

    XXXIX

    Says, ‘Wicked be my merry men all,
      I gave meat, drink and cloth!
    But could they not have holden me
      When I was in all that wrath?’

FOOTNOTES:

[339] kell = hair-net, i. e. give her as many greetings as there are
meshes in a net.

[340] leeve = lovely.

[341] silver-gris = a fur of silver-grey.

[342] yode = walked.

[343] blan = stopped, stayed.

[344] kepp’d = caught.

[345] ezar =? _for_ ‘mazer,’ maple.

[346] weed = clothing.

[347] lease = leash, thong.

[348] ly’ed = lived.

[349] tak’ = take, catch.




_48. Brown Adam_


    I

    O wha would wish the wind to blau
      Or the green leaves fa’ therewith?
    Or wha would wish a lealer love
      Than Brown Adam the Smith?

    II

    But they hae banish’d Brown Adam,
      Frae father and frae mither;
    And they hae banish’d Brown Adam,
      Frae sister and frae brither.

    III

    And they hae banish’d Brown Adam
      Frae the flow’r o’ a’ his kin;
    And he’s biggit[350] a bow’r i’ the good green-wood
      Between his ladye and him.

    IV

    O it fell once upon a day
      Brown Adam he thought long,
    And he is to the green-wood
      As fast as he could gang.

    V

    He has ta’en his bow his arm over,
      His sword intill his han’,
    And he is to the good green-wood
      To hunt some venison.

    VI

    O he’s shot up, and he’s shot down
      The bunting on the breer[351];
    And he’s sent it hame to his ladye,
      Bade her be of good cheer.

    VII

    O he’s shot up, and he’s shot down,
      The linnet on the thorn,
    And sent it hame to his ladye,
      Said he’d be hame the morn.

    VIII

    When he cam’ till his lady’s bow’r-door
      He stood a little forbye,
    And there he heard a fu’ fause knight
      Tempting his gay ladye.

    IX

    O he’s ta’en out a gay gold ring
      Had cost him mony a poun’;
    ‘O grant me love for love, ladye,
      And this sall be your own.’--

    X

    ‘I lo’e Brown Adam well,’ she says,
      ‘I wot sae does he me;
    I wadna gie Brown Adam’s love
      For nae fause knight I see.’

    XI

    Out he has ta’en a purse of gold
      Was a’ fu’ to the string;
    ‘O grant me love for love, ladye,
      And a’ this sall be thine.’--

    XII

    ‘I lo’e Brown Adam well,’ she says,
      ‘An’ I ken sae does he me;
    An’ I wadna be your light leman
      For mair nor ye could gie.’

    XIII

    Then out he drew his lang, lang bran’,
      And he’s flash’d it in her e’en:
    ‘Now grant me love for love, lady,
      Or thro’ you this sall gang.’--

    XIV

    ‘O,’ sighing said that gay ladye,
      ‘Brown Adam tarries lang!’--
    Then up and starts him Brown Adam,
      Says, ‘I’m just to your hand.’

    XV

    He’s gar’d him leave his bow, his bow,
      He’s gar’d him leave his brand;
    He’s gar’d him leave a better pledge--
      Four fingers o’ his right hand.

FOOTNOTES:

[350] biggit = built.

[351] breer = briar.




_49. Jellon Grame_


    I

    O Jellon Grame sat in Silverwood,
      He sharp’d his broadsword lang;
    And he has call’d his little foot-page
      An errand for to gang.

    II

    ‘Win up, my bonny boy,’ he says,
      ‘As quickly as ye may;
    For ye maun gang for Lillie Flower
      Before the break of day.’--

    III

    The boy has buckled his belt about,
      And through the green-wood ran;
    And he came to the ladye’s bower
      Before the day did dawn.

    IV

    ‘O sleep ye, wake ye, Lillie Flower?
      The red sun’s on the rain;
    Ye’re bidden come to Silverwood,
      But I doubt ye’ll never win hame.’

    V

    She hadna ridden a mile, a mile,
      A mile but barely three,
    Ere she came to a new-made grave
      Beneath a green aik tree.

    VI

    O then up started Jellon Grame
      Out of a bush thereby;
    ‘Light down, light down, now, Lillie Flower,
      For it’s here that ye maun lye.’

    VII

    She lighted aff her milk-white steed,
      And kneel’d upon her knee;
    ‘O mercy, mercy, Jellon Grame,
      For I’m no prepared to die!

    VIII

    ‘Your bairn, that stirs between my sides,
      Maun shortly see the light;
    But to see it weltering in my blood
      Would be a piteous sight.’--

    IX

    ‘O should I spare your life,’ he says,
      ‘Until that bairn were born,
    Full weel I ken your auld father
      Would hang me on the morn.’--

    X

    ‘O spare my life now, Jellon Grame!
      My father ye needna dread!
    I’ll keep my babe in gude green-wood,
      Or wi’ it I’ll beg my bread.’--

    XI

    He took nae pity on Lillie Flower,
      Though she for life did pray;
    But pierced her through the fair body
      As at his feet she lay.

    XII

    He felt nae pity for Lillie Flower,
      Where she was lying dead;
    But he felt some for the bonny bairn
      That lay weltering in her bluid.

    XIII

    Up has he ta’en that bonny boy,
      Given him to nurses nine;
    Three to sleep, and three to wake,
      And three to go between.

    XIV

    And he bred up that bonny boy,
      Call’d him his sister’s son;
    And he thought nae eye could ever see
      The deed that had been done.

    XV

    O so it fell upon a day,
      When hunting they might be,
    They rested them in Silverwood,
      Beneath that green aik tree.

    XVI

    And many were the green-wood flowers
      Upon that grave that grew,
    And marvell’d much that bonny boy
      To see their lovely hue.

    XVII

    ‘What’s paler than the primrose wan?
      What’s redder than the rose?
    What’s fairer than the lilye flower
      On this wee know[352] that grows?’--

    XVIII

    O out and answer’d Jellon Grame,
      And he spak hastilie:
    ‘Your mother was a fairer flower,
      And lies beneath this tree.

    XIX

    ‘More pale she was, when she sought my grace,
      Than primrose pale and wan;
    And redder than rose her ruddy heart’s blood,
      That down my broadsword ran.’--

    XX

    Wi’ that the boy has bent his bow,
      It was baith stout and lang;
    And thro’ and thro’ him, Jellon Grame,
      He gar’d an arrow gang.

    XXI

    Says,--‘Lie ye there, now, Jellon Grame!
      My malisoun gang you wi’!
    The place that my mother lies buried in
      Is far too good for thee.’

FOOTNOTES:

[352] wee know = little hillock.




_50. Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard_


    _O wow for day!
      And, dear, gin it were day!
    Gin it were day, and I were away--
      For I ha’ na lang time to stay._

    I

    As it fell on one holy-day,
      As many be in the year,
    When young men and maids together did go
      Their matins and mass to hear,

    II

    Little Musgrave came to the church-door--
      The priest was at private mass--
    But he had more mind of the fair women
      Than he had of Our Lady’s grace.

    III

    The one of them was clad in green,
      Another was clad in pall[353],
    And then came in my Lord Barnard’s wife,
      The fairest amongst them all.

    IV

    She cast an eye on Little Musgrave
      As bright as the summer sun;
    And then bethought him Little Musgrave,
      ‘This lady’s heart have I won.’

    V

    Quoth she, ‘I have loved thee, Little Musgrave,
      Full long and many a day.’--
    ‘So have I loved you, fair ladye,
      Yet never word durst I say.’--

    VI

    ‘But I have a bower at Bucklesfordberry,
      Full daintily it is dight;
    If thou’lt wend thither, thou Little Musgrave,
      Thou’s lig[354] in my arms all night.’

    VII

    Quoth he, ‘I thank thee, fair ladye,
      This kindness thou showest to me;
    And whether it be to my weal or woe
      This night I will lodge with thee.’

    VIII

    With that beheard a little tiny page,
      By his lady’s coach as he ran.
    Says, ‘Although I am my lady’s foot-page,
      Yet I am Lord Barnard’s man.’

    IX

    Then he’s cast off his hose and shoon,
      Set down his feet and ran,
    And where the bridges were broken down
      He bent his bow and swam.

    X

    ‘Awake! awake! thou Lord Barnard,
      As thou art a man of life!
    Little Musgrave is at Bucklesfordberry
      Along with thy own wedded wife.’--

    XI

    ‘If this be true, thou little tiny page,
      This thing thou tellest to me,
    Then all the land in Bucklesfordberry
      I freely will give to thee.

    XII

    ‘But if it be a lie, thou little tiny page,
      This thing thou tellest to me,
    On the highest tree in Bucklesfordberry
      Then hangèd shall thou be.’

    XIII

    He callèd up his merry men all:
      ‘Come saddle me my steed;
    This night must I to Bucklesfordberry,
      For I never had greater need.’

    XIV

    But some they whistled, and some they sung,
      And some they thus could say,
    Whenever Lord Barnard’s horn it blew:
      _‘Away, Musgrave, away!..._

    XV

    ‘Methinks I hear the threstle cock,
      Methinks I hear the jay;
    Methinks I hear Lord Barnard’s horn,
      _Away, Musgrave, away!_’--

    XVI

    ‘Lie still, lie still, thou little Musgrave,
      And huggle me from the cold;
    ’Tis nothing but a shepherd’s boy
      A-driving his sheep to the fold.’

    XVII

    By this, Lord Barnard came to his door
      And lighted a stone upon;
    And he’s pull’d out three silver keys,
      And open’d the doors each one.

    XVIII

    He lifted up the coverlet,
      He lifted up the sheet:
    ‘Dost thou like my bed, Little Musgrave?
      Dost thou find my lady sweet?’--

    XIX

    ‘I find her sweet,’ quoth Little Musgrave,
      ‘The more ’tis to my pain;
    I would gladly give three hundred pounds
      That I were on yonder plain.’--

    XX

    ‘Arise, arise, thou Little Musgrave,
      And put thy clothès on;
    It shall ne’er be said in my country
      I have kill’d a naked man.

    XXI

    ‘I have two swords in one scabbard,
      They are both sharp and clear;
    Take you the best, and I the worst,
      We’ll end the matter here.’

    XXII

    The first stroke Little Musgrave struck,
      He hurt Lord Barnard sore;
    The next stroke that Lord Barnard struck,
      Little Musgrave ne’er struck more.

    XXIII

    With that bespake this fair lady,
      In bed where as she lay:
    ‘Although thou’rt dead, thou Little Musgrave,
      Yet I for thee will pray.

    XXIV

    ‘And wish well to thy soul will I
      So long as I have life;
    So will I not for thee, Barnard,
      Although I’m thy wedded wife.’

    XXV

    He cut her paps from off her breast;
      Great pity it was to see
    That some drops of this lady’s heart’s blood
      Ran trickling down her knee.

    XXVI

    ‘Woe worth you, woe worth, my merry men all,
      You were ne’er born for my good!
    Why did you not offer to stay my hand
      When you saw me wax so wood[355]?

    XXVII

    ‘For I have slain the fairest lady
      That ever wore woman’s weed,
    Soe I have slain the fairest lady
      That ever did woman’s deed.

    XXVIII

    ‘A grave, a grave,’ Lord Barnard cried,
      ‘To put these lovers in!
    But lay my lady on the upper hand,
      For she comes of the nobler kin.’

FOOTNOTES:

[353] pall = fine cloth.

[354] lig = lie.

[355] wood = mad, fierce.




_51. Lord Ingram and Childe Vyet_


    I

    Lord Ingram and Childe Vyet
     Were both born in one hall;
    Laid both their hearts on one lady;
      The worse did them befall.

    II

    Lord Ingram woo’d Lady Maisry
      From father and from mother;
    Lord Ingram woo’d Lady Maisry
      From sister and from brother;

    III

    Lord Ingram woo’d Lady Maisry
      With leave of all her kin;
    And every one gave full consent,
      But she said ‘no’ to him.

    IV

    Now it fell out, upon a day
      She was dressing of her head,
    That in did come her father dear,
      Wearing the gold so red.

    V

    ‘Get up now, Lady Maisry,
      Put on your wedding-gown;
    For Lord Ingram he will be here,
      Your wedding must be done.’--

    VI

    ‘I’d rather be Childe Vyet’s wife,
      The white fish for to sell,
    Before I were Lord Ingram’s wife,
      To wear the silk so well.

    VII

    ‘I’d rather be Childe Vyet’s wife,
      With him to beg my bread,
    Before I were Lord Ingram’s wife,
      To wear the gold so red....

    VIII

    ‘O where will I get a bonny boy,
      Will win gold to his fee,
    And will run unto Childe Vyet
      With this letter from me?’--

    IX

    ‘O here I am, the boy,’ says one,
      ‘Will win gold to my fee,
    And carry away any letter
      To Childe Vyet from thee.’

    X

    The first line that Childe Vyet read,
      A grievèd man was he;
    The next line that Childe Vyet read,
      A tear blinded his e’e.
    ‘I wonder what ails my one brother,
      He’ll not let my love be!

    XI

    ‘But I’ll send to my brother’s bridal--
      The gammons o’ the swine--
    With four and twenty buck and roe,
      And ten tun of the wine;
    And bid my love be blithe and glad,
      And I will follow syne.’

    XII

    There was no groom in that castle
      But got a gown of green;
    And all was blithe, and all was glad,
      But Lady Maisry was neen[356].

    XIII

    There was no cook in that kitchen
      But got a gown of grey;
    And all was blithe, and all was glad,
      But Lady Maisry was wae.

    XIV

    O sweetly play’d the merry organs
      Within her mother’s bower;
    But dumb stood Lady Maisry,
      And let the tears down pour.

    XV

    O sweetly play’d the harp so fine
      Within her father’s hall;
    But still stood Lady Maisry,
      And let the tears down fall.

    XVI

    ’Tween Mary Kirk and the castle
      Was all spread o’er with garl[357],
    To keep Lady Maisry and her maidens
      From tramping on the marl.

    XVII

    From Mary Kirk to the castle
      Was spread a cloth of gold,
    To keep Lady Maisry and her maidens
      From treading upon the mould.

    XVIII

    When mass was sung, and bells were rung,
      And all men bound for bed,
    Lord Ingram and Lady Maisry
      In one bed they were laid.

    XIX

    When they were laid into one bed,
      It was both soft and warm;
    He laid his hand over her side,
      Says, ‘I think you are with bairn.’--

    XX

    ‘I told you once, so did I twice,
      When ye came for my wooer,
    That Childe Vyet, your one brother,
      One night lay in my bower.

    XXI

    ‘I told you twice, I told you thrice,
      Ere ye came me to wed,
    That Childe Vyet, your one brother,
      One night lay in my bed.’--

    XXII

    ‘O father your bairn on me, Maisry,
      And on no other man;
    And I’ll gie him to his dowry
      Full fifty ploughs of land.’--

    XXIII

    ‘I will not father my bairn on you,
      Nor on no wrongeous man,
    Though ye’d give him to his dowry
      Five thousand ploughs of land.’

    XXIV

    He has taken out his trusty sword
      And laid it between them tway;
    Says, ‘Lie you there, you ill woman,
      A maid for me till day.’

    XXV

    Then in it came him Childe Vyet,
      Shed back his yellow hair,
    And gave Lord Ingram to the heart
      A deep wound and a sair.

    XXVI

    Then up did start him Lord Ingram
      Shed back his coal-black hair,
    And gave Childe Vyet to the heart
      A deep wound and a sair.

    XXVII

    There was no pity for those two lords,
      In bower where they lay slain;
    But all was for Lady Maisry,
      In bower where she went brain[358].

    XXVIII

    Says, ‘If I have been an ill woman,
      Alas, and woe is me!
    And if I have been an ill woman,
      A good woman I’ll be.

    XXIX

    ‘Ye’ll take from me my silk attire,
      Bring me a palmer’s weed;
    And for their sakes the world thoro’
      I’ll gang and beg my bread.

    XXX

    ‘If I gang a step for Childe Vyet,
      For Lord Ingram I’ll gang three;
    All for the honour that he paid
      At Mary Kirk to me.’

FOOTNOTES:

[356] neen = none, not.

[357] garl =? gravel.

[358] brain = mad.




_52. Fair Janet_


    I

    ‘Ye maun gang to your father, Janet,
      Ye maun gang to him sune;
    Ye maun gang to your father, Janet,
      In case that his days are dune.’

    II

    Janet’s awa’ to her father
      As fast as she could hie:
    ‘O what’s your will wi’ me, father?
      O what’s your will wi’ me?’--

    III

    ‘My will wi’ you, Fair Janet,’ he said,
      ‘It is both bed and board;
    Some say that ye love Sweet Willie,
      But ye maun wed a French lord.’

    IV

    Janet’s awa to her chamber
      As fast as she could go;
    Wha’s the first ane that tappèd there,
      But Sweet Willie her jo[359]?

    V

    ‘O we maun part this love, Willie,
      That has been lang between;
    There’s a French lord coming o’er the sea
      To wed me wi’ a ring.’--

    VI

    ‘If we maun part this love, Janet,
      It causeth mickle woe;
    If we maun part this love, Janet,
      It makes me in mourning go.’--

    VII

    ‘But ye maun gang to your three sisters,
      Meg, Marion and Jean;
    Tell them to come to Fair Janet,
      In case that her days are dune.’

    VIII

    Willie’s awa’ to his three sisters,
      Meg, Marion and Jean:
    ‘O haste and gang to Fair Janet,
      I fear that her days are dune!’

    IX

    Some drew to them their silken hose,
      Some drew to them their shoon,
    Some drew to them their silk manteils,
      Their coverings to put on;
    And they’re awa’ to Fair Janet
      By the hie light o’ the moon....

    X

    ‘O I have borne this babe, Willie,
      Wi’ mickle toil and pain;
    Take hame, take hame your babe, Willie,
      For nurse I dare be nane.’

    XI

    He’s ta’en his young son in his arms
      And kiss’d him cheek and chin,
    And he’s awa’ to his mother’s bower
      By the hie light o’ the moon.

    XII

    ‘O open, open, mother!’ he says,
      ‘O open, and let me in!
    The rain rains on my yellow hair
      And the dew drops o’er my chin;
    And I hae my young son in my arms,--
      I fear that his days are dune.’

    XIII

    Then with her fingers long and sma’
      She lifted up the pin,
    And with her arms sae long and sma’
      Received the baby in.

    XIV

    ‘Gae back, gae back now, Sweet Willie,
      And comfort your fair ladye;
    For where ye had but ae nourice
      Your young son shall hae three.’

    XV

    Willie he was scarce awa’
      And Janet put to bed,
    When in and came her father dear:
      ‘Mak’ haste, and busk[360] the bride!’--

    XVI

    ‘There’s a sair pain in my head, father,
      There’s a sair pain in my side;
    And ill, O ill I am, father,
      This day for to be a bride!’--

    XVII

    ‘O ye maun busk this bonny bride,
      And put a gay mantle on;
    For she shall wed this auld French lord,
      Gin she should die this morn.’

    XVIII

    Some put on the gay green robes,
      And some put on the brown;
    But Janet put on the scarlet robes,
      Shone foremost thro’ the town.

    XIX

    And some they mounted the black steed,
      And some mounted the brown;
    But Janet mounted the milk-white steed,
      Rode foremost thro’ the town.

    XX

    ‘O wha will guide your horse, Janet?
      O wha will guide him best?’--
    ‘O wha but Willie, my true-love?
      He kens I love him best.’

    XXI

    And when they came to Mary’s kirk
      To tie the holy ban’,
    Fair Janet’s colour gaed and came,
      And her cheek look’d pale and wan.

    XXII

    When dinner it was past and done,
      And dancing to begin,
    ‘O we’ll go take the bride’s maidens,
      And we’ll go fill the ring.’

    XXIII

    O ben then came the auld French lord,
      Saying, ‘Bride, will ye dance wi’ me?’--
    ‘Awa’, awa’, ye auld French lord!
      Your face I downa see.’

    XXIV

    O ben then came Sweet Willie,
      He came with ane advance:
    ‘O I’ll go tak’ the bride’s maidens,
      And we’ll go tak’ a dance.’--

    XXV

    ‘I’ve seen ither days wi’ you, Willie,
      And so has mony mae[361],
    Ye would hae danced wi’ me mysel’,
      Let a’ my maidens gae.’

    XXVI

    O ben now came Sweet Willie,
      Saying, ‘Bride, will ye dance wi’ me?’--
    ‘Ay, by my sooth, and that I will
      Gin my back should break in three.’

    XXVII

    She hadna danced her o’er the floor,
      She hadna turn’d but thrice,
    When she fell doun at Willie’s feet,
      And up did never rise.

    XXVIII

    Willie’s ta’en the key of his coffer
      And gi’en it to his man:
    ‘Gae hame, and tell my mother dear
      My horse he has me slain;
    And bid her be kind to my young son,
      For father he has nane.’

FOOTNOTES:

[359] jo = sweetheart.

[360] busk = array.

[361] mae = more.




_53. Old Robin of Portingale_


    I

    God! let never soe old a man
      Marry soe young a wife
    As did old Robin of Portingale!
      He may rue all the days of his life.

    II

    For the Mayor’s daughter of Lin, God wot,
      He chose her to his wife,
    And thought to have lived in quietnesse
      With her all the dayes of his life.

    III

    They had not in their wed-bed laid,
      Scarcely were both on sleepe,
    But up she rose, and forth she goes
      To Sir Gyles, and fast can weepe.

    IV

    Saies, ‘Sleepe you, wake you, faire Sir Gyles?
      Or be you not within?
    [Or hear you not your true love
      That tirleth at the pin?’]--

    V

    ‘But I am waking, sweete,’ he said,
      ‘Lady, what is your will?’--
    I have unbethought[362] me of a wile
      How my wed lord we shall spill.

    VI

    ‘Four and twenty knights,’ she sayes,
      ‘That dwells about this towne,
    E’en four and twenty of my next cozens
      Will help to ding[363] him downe.’

    VII

    With that beheard his little foot-page,
      Was watering his master’s steed;
    Soe [sore a hearing it was to him]
      His very heart did bleed.

    VIII

    He mournèd, sikt[364], and wept full sore;
      I swear by the Holy Rood
    The teares he for his master wept
      Were blent water and bloude.

    IX

    With that beheard his dear mastèr
      As he in his garden sate;
    Sayes, ‘Ever alack, my little page,
      What causes thee to weepe?

    X

    ‘Hath any one done to thee wronge,
      Any of thy fellowes here?
    Or is any of thy good friends dead,
      What makes thee shed such teares?

    XI

    ‘Or if it be my head-cookes-man
      Griev’d againe[365] he shall be,
    Nor noe man within my house
      Shall doe wrong unto thee.’--

    XII

    ‘But it is not your head-cookes-man,
      Nor none of his degree;
    But or tomorrow, ere it be noone
      You are deemèd[366] to die.

    XIII

    ‘And of that thanke your head-steward,
      And, after, your ladie fair.’--
    ‘If it be true, my little foot-page,
      Of my land I’ll make thee heir.’--

    XIV

    ‘If it be not true, my deare master,
      God let me never thye[367].’--
    ‘If it be not true, thou little foot-page,
      A dead corse shalt thou be.’

    XV

    He callèd down his head-cookes-man
      In kitchen supper to dress;
    ‘All and anon, my deere master!
      Anon at your request!’--

    XVI

    [‘Let supper be drest, and of the best
      Let it preparèd be]
    And call you downe my faire lady,
      This night to supp with mee.’

    XVII

    And downe then came that fair lady,
      ’Was clad all in purple and palle[368];
    The rings that were upon her fingers
      Cast light thorrow the hall.

    XVIII

    ‘What is your will, my owne wed lord,
      What is your will with mee?’--
    ‘’Tis I am sicke, fayre lady,
      Sore sicke and like to dye.’--

    XIX

    ‘But an you be sicke, my owne wed lord,
      Soe sore it grieveth mee;
    But my five maidens and my selfe
      [Will bedd you presentlye].

    XX

    ‘And at the waking of your first sleepe
      You shall have a hott drinke made,
    And at the waking of your next sleepe
      Your sorrowes will have a slake.’

    XXI

    He put a silk cote on his backe
      ’Was thirteen inches folde,
    And put a steele cap upon his head
      ’Was gilded with good red gold.

    XXII

    And he layd a bright browne sword by his side,
      And another at his feete,
    And full well knew Old Robin then
      Whether he shold wake or sleepe.

    XXIII

    And about the middle time of the night
      Came twenty-four Knights in;
    Sir Gyles he was the foremost man,
      Soe well he knew that ginne[369].

    XXIV

    Old Robin with a bright browne sword
      Sir Gyles’ head he did winne,
    Soe did he all those twenty-four,
      Ne’er a one went quicke[370] out [agen];

    XXV

    None but one little foot-page
      Crept forth at a window of stone;
    And he had two armes when he came in
      And [when he went out he had one].

    XXVI

    Upp then came that ladie light,
      With torches burning bright;
    Shee thought to have brought Sir Gyles a drinke,
      But shee found her owne wed Knight.

    XXVII

    And the first thing that shee stumbled upon
      Was of Sir Gyles his foote;
    Sayes, ‘Ever alacke, and woe is me,
      Here lies my sweet hart-roote[371]!’

    XXVIII

    And the second thing shee stumbled upon
      Was of Sir Gyles his head;
    Sayes, ‘Ever alacke, and woe is me,
      Here lyes my true-love deade!’

    XXIX

    He cut the papps beside her brest,
      And bade her wish her will;
    And he cutt the eares beside her heade,
      And bade her wish on still.

    XXX

    ‘Mickle is the men’s blood I have spent
      To doe thee and me some good’;
    Sayes, ‘Ever alacke, my fayre lady,
      I thinke that I was woode[372]!’

    XXXI

    And he shope[373] the cross on his right sho’lder
      Of the white flesh and the redd,
    And he went him into the Holy Land,
      Wheras Christ was quicke and deade.

FOOTNOTES:

[362] unbethought = bethought.

[363] ding = smite.

[364] sikt = sighed.

[365] againe = in return.

[366] deemèd = doomed.

[367] thye = thrive.

[368] palle = fine cloth.

[369] ginne = gin, contrivance, here a door-latch.

[370] quicke = alive.

[371] hart-roote = heart-root, dear one.

[372] woode = mad.

[373] shope = shaped, made.




_54. Lord Thomas and Fair Annet_


    I

    Lord Thomas and Fair Annet
      Sat all day on a hill;
    When night was come, and sun was set,
      They had not talk’d their fill.

    II

    Lord Thomas said a word in jest,
      Fair Annet took it ill:
    ‘I’ll never wed a tocherless[374] maid
      Against my ain friends’ will.’--

    III

    ‘Gif ye’ll not wed a tocherless wife,
      A wife will ne’er wed ye:
    Fare ye well now, Lord Thomas,
      It’s fare ye well a wee.’

    IV

    O Annet she’s gane till her bower,
      Lord Thomas down the den;
    And he’s come till his mither’s bower
      By the lee[375] light o’ the moon.

    V

    ‘O sleep ye, wake ye, mither?’ he says,
      ‘Or are ye the bower within?’--
    ‘I sleep right aft, I wake right aft;
      What want ye with me, son?

    VI

    ‘Where have ye been a’ night, Thomas?
      O wow, ye’ve tarried long!’--
    ‘I have been courtin’ Fair Annet,
      And she is frae me gone.

    VII

    ‘O rede[376], O rede, mither,’ he says,
      ‘A gude rede gie to me:
    O sall I tak’ the nut-brown bride,
      And let Fair Annet be?’--

    VIII

    ‘The nut-brown bride has gold and gear,
      Fair Annet she’s got nane;
    And the little beauty Fair Annet has
      O it will soon be gane.

    IX

    ‘It’s an’ ye wed the nut-brown bride,
      I’ll heap gold wi’ my hand;
    But an’ ye wed her, Fair Annet,
      I’ll straik[377] it wi’ a wand.

    X

    ‘The nut-brown bride has sheep and kye,
      Fair Annet she’s got nane;
    Son Thomas, for my benison
      Bring ye the brown bride hame.’--

    XI

    ‘But alas, alas!’ says Lord Thomas,
      ‘O fair is Annet’s face!’--
    ‘But what matter for that, son Thomas?
      She has nae ither grace.’--

    XII

    ‘Alas, alas!’ says Lord Thomas,
      ‘But white is Annet’s hand!’--
    ‘What matter for that, son Thomas?
      She has not a fur’[378] o’ land.’--

    XIII

    ‘Sheep will die in cots, mither,
      And owsen[379] die in byre;
    And what is warldis wealth to me,
      An’ I getna my heart’s desire?’

    XIV

    And he has till his sister gane:
      ‘Now, sister, rede ye me;
    O sall I marry the nut-brown bride
      And set Fair Annet free?’--

    XV

    ‘I’se rede ye tak’ Fair Annet, Thomas,
      And let the brown bride alane,
    Lest ye should sigh and say Alas!
      What is this we brought hame?’--

    XVI

    ‘No, I will tak’ my mither’s counsel,
      And marry me out of hand;
    And I will tak’ the nut-brown bride;
      Fair Annet may leave the land.’

    XVII

    Up then rose Fair Annet’s father
      Twa hours or it were day,
    And he is gone to Fair Annet,
      To the bower wherein she lay.

    XVIII

    ‘Rise up, rise up, Fair Annet,’ he says,
      ‘Put on your silken sheen;
    Ye are bidden come to St. Mary’s Kirk,
      To see a rich weddin’.’...

    XIX

    ‘My maids, gae to my dressing-room
      And dress to me my hair;
    Where’er ye laid a plait before
      See ye lay ten times mair.

    XX

    ‘My maids gae to my dressing-room
      And dress to me my smock,
    The one half is o’ the holland fine,
      The other o’ needle-work.’

    XXI

    At yae[380] tett[381] o’ her horse’s mane
      Was tied a silver bell,
    And yae tift[382] o’ the norland wind
      It gar’d them a’ to knell.

    XXII

    Four and twenty gay good knights
      Rade by Fair Annet’s side,
    And four and twenty fair ladies
      As gin she had been a bride.

    XXIII

    And when she came to Mary’s Kirk,
      She shimmer’d like the sun;
    The belt that was about her waist
      Was a’ wi’ pearls bedone[383].

    XXIV

    And when she came to Mary’s Kirk,
      And sat down in the deas[384],
    The cleiding[385] that Fair Annet had on
      Enlighten’d a’ that place.

    XXV

    She sat her by the nut-brown bride,
      And her e’en they were sae clear,
    Lord Thomas he clean forgat the bride
      When Fair Annet drew near.

    XXVI

    He had a rose into his hand,
      He gave it kisses three,
    And reaching by the nut-brown bride,
      Laid it on Annet’s knee.

    XXVII

    ‘O wha is this, my father dear,
      Blinks in Lord Thomas’s e’e?’--
    ‘O this Lord Thomas’s first true-love
      Before he lovèd thee.’

    XXVIII

    Up then spake the nut-brown bride--
      She spake wi’ mickle spite:
    ‘And where gat ye the rose-water
      That washes thy face so white?’--

    XXIX

    ‘O I did get my rose-water
      Where ye will ne’er get nane,
    For I did get that very rose-water
      Into my mither’s wame[386].’

    XXX

    The bride she drew a long bodkin
      Frae out her gay head-gear,
    And strake Fair Annet to the heart,
      That word spak’ never mair.

    XXXI

    ‘O Christ thee save!’ Lord Thomas he said,
      ‘Methinks thou look’st wondrous wan;
    Thou was used to look with as fresh a colour
      As ever the sun shined on.’

    XXXII

    ‘O art thou blind, Lord Thomas?’ she said,
      ‘Or canst thou not very well see?
    Or dost thou not see my own heart’s blood
      Runs trickling down my knee?’

    XXXIII

    Lord Thomas he saw Fair Annet was pale,
      And marvellèd what mote be;
    But when he saw her dear heart’s blood,
      All wood-wroth[387] waxèd he.

    XXXIV

    He drew his dagger frae his side,
      That was so sharp and meet,
    And drave it into the nut-brown bride,
      That fell dead at his feet.

    XXXV

    ‘Now stay for me, dear Annet,’ he said,
      ‘Now stay, my dear!’ he cried;
    Then strake the dagger untill his heart,
      And fell dead by her side.

FOOTNOTES:

[374] tocherless = without a dowry.

[375] lee = calm, pleasant.

[376] rede = counsel.

[377] straik = stroke, as one might smooth over the top of a bushel of
corn to make it bare measure.

[378] fur’ = furrow.

[379] owsen = oxen.

[380] yae = each.

[381] tett = tuft.

[382] tift = puff, whiff.

[383] bedone = adorned.

[384] deas = daïs, pew.

[385] cleiding = clothing.

[386] wame = womb.

[387] wood-wroth = mad with rage.




_55. Rose the Red and White Lily_


    I

    O Rose the Red and White Lilly,
      Their mother dear was dead,
    And their father married an ill woman
      Wish’d them twa little gude.

    II

    Yet she had twa as fu’ fair sons
      As e’er brake manis bread;
    And Bold Arthur he lo’ed her White Lilly
      And Brown Robin Rose the Red.

    III

    O they hae biggit a bigly[388] tow’r,
      And strawn it o’er wi’ sand;
    There was mair mirth i’ these ladies’ bow’r
      Than in a’ their father’s land.

    IV

    But out and spake their step-mither,
      At the stair-foot stood she:
    ‘I’m plaguit wi’ your troublesome noise!
      What makes[389] your melodie?

    V

    ‘O Rose the Red, ye sing too loud,
      White Lilly, your voice is strang:
    But gin I live and bruik[390] my life,
      I’ll gar ye change your sang.’

    VI

    She’s call’d her son, Brown Robin,
      ‘Come hither, my son, to me;
    It fears me sair, my eldest son,
      That ye maun sail the sea.’--

    VII

    ‘Gin it fear you sair, my mither dear,
      Your bidding I maun dee;
    But be never warse to Rose the Red
      Than ye ha’ been to me.’--

    VIII

    ‘O haud your tongue, my eldest son,
      For sma’ sall be her part;
    You’ll ne’er get kiss o’ her comely mouth,
      Tho’ you sh’uld break your heart.’

    IX

    She’s call’d her son, Bold Arthur:
      ‘Come hither, my son, to me;
    It fears me sair, my youngest son,
      That ye maun sail the sea.’--

    X

    ‘Gin it fear you sair, my mither dear,
      Your bidding I maun dee;
    But be never warse to White Lilly
      Than ye ha’ been to me.’--

    XI

    ‘O haud your tongue, my yongest son,
      For sma’ sall be her part;
    You’ll ne’er get kiss o’ White Lilly’s mouth
      Tho’ it break your very heart.’

    XII

    When Rose the Red and White Lilly
      Saw their twa loves were gane,
    Then stoppit ha’ they their loud, loud sang
      For and the still mournin’:
    And their step-mither stood forbye,
      To hear the maiden’s mane[391].

    XIII

    Then out it spake her White Lilly:
      ‘My sister, we’ll be gane;
    Why should we stay in Burnèsdale
      To waste our youth in pain?’

    XIV

    Then cuttit ha’ they their green clothing
      A little below their knee,
    And sae ha’ they their yellow hair
      A little abune their bree[392];
    And they’re do’en them to haly chapel,
      Was christen’d by Our Ladye.

    XV

    There ha’ they changed their ain twa names,
      Sae far frae ony town;
    And the tane o’ them hight[393] Sweet Willy,
      And the tither Roge the Roun[394].

    XVI

    Between this twa a vow was made,
      And they sware it to fulfil;
    That at three blasts o’ a bugle-horn
      She’d come her sister till.

    XVII

    Now Sweet Willy’s gane to the Kingis court,
      Her true-love there to see,
    And Roge the Roun to good green-wood,
      Brown Robin’s man to be.

    XVIII

    As it fell out upon a day
      They a’ did put the stane,
    Fu’ seven feet ayont them a’
      She gar’d the puttin’-stane gang.

    XIX

    She lean’d her back against an oak,
      And ga’e a loud Ohone!
    Then out it spake him Brown Robin,
      ‘But that’s a woman’s moan!’

    XX

    ‘O ken ye by my red rose lip?
      Or by my yallow hair?
    Or ken ye by my milk-white breast?
      For ye never saw it bare.’

    XXI

    ‘I ken no by your red rose lip,
      Nor by your yallow hair;
    Nor ken I by your milk-white breast,
      For I never saw it bare;
    But come to your bow’r whaever sae likes
      Will find a lady there.’

    XXII

    About the tenth hour of the night
      The lady’s bow’r-door was broken;
    And ere the first hour of the night
      The bonny knave-bairn[395] was gotten.

    XXIII

    When days were gane, and months were run,
      Rose the Red took travailing;
    And sair she cried for a bow’r-woman,
      Her pine[396] to wait upon.

    XXIV

    Then out it spake him Brown Robin:
      ‘Now what needs a’ this din?
    For what cou’d any woman do
      But I cou’d do the same?’--

    XXV

    ‘It was never my mither’s fashion,
      Nor sall it e’er be mine,
    That belted Knights shou’d e’er stand by
      Where ladies dreed[397] their pine.

    XXVI

    ‘But tak’ ye up my bugle-horn,
      And blaw three blasts for me;
    I’ve a brither in the Kingis court
      Will come me quickly ti’.’--

    XXVII

    ‘O gin ye hae a brither on earth
      That ye love better nor me,
    Ye blaw the horn yoursel’,’ he says,
      ‘For ae blast I’ll not gie.’

    XXVIII

    She set the horn untill her mouth,
      And blawn three blasts sae shrill;
    Sweet Willy heard i’ the Kingis court,
      And came her quickly till....

    XXIX

    [Word is to the kitchen gane,
      And word is to the ha’,
    Bold Arthur’s lost his little foot-page,
      To the green-wood stown awa’.]

    XXX

    And word has gane to the Kingis court,
      To the King himsel’ [at dine]
    ‘Now, by my fay,’ the King can say,
      [‘Sweet Willy we maun find.’]

    XXXI

    ‘Bring me my steed,’ then cry’d the King,
      ‘My bow and arrows keen;
    I’ll ride mysel’ to good green-wood
      An’ see what’s to be seen.’

    XXXII

    ‘An’t please your grace,’ says Bold Arthur,
      ‘My liege I’ll gang you wi’,
    An’ try to find my little foot-page
      That’s stray’d awa’ frae me.’

    XXXIII

    O they have hunted in good green-wood
      The back but and the rae.
    And they’ve drawn near Brown Robin’s bow’r
      About the close of day.

    XXXIV

    Then out it spak’ the King in haste,
      Says, ‘Arthur, look an’ see
    Gin that be no your little foot-page
      That leans against yon tree?’

    XXXV

    Bold Arthur took his bugle-horn,
      And blew a blast sae shrill,
    Sweet Willy started at the sound
      And ran him quickly till.

    XXXVI

    ‘O wanted ye your meat, Willy?
      Or wanted ye your fee?
    Or get ye ever an angry word,
      That ye ran awa’ frae me?’--

    XXXVII

    ‘I wanted nought, my master dear;
      To me ye aye was good;
    I came but to see my ae brither
      That wons[398] in this green-wood.’

    XXXVIII

    Then out and spak’ the King again,
      Says, ‘Bonny boy, tell to me
    Who lives into yon bigly bow’r,
      Stands by yon green oak-tree?’

    XXXIX

    ‘O pardon me,’ says Sweet Willy,
      ‘My liege, I daurna tell;
    And I pray you go no near that bow’r,
      For fear they do you fell[399].’--

    XL

    ‘O haud your tongue, my bonny boy.
      For I winna be said nay;
    But I will gang that bow’r within,
      Betide me weal or wae.’

    XLI

    They’ve lighted off their milk-white steeds,
      And saftly enter’d in;
    And then they saw her, Rose the Red,
      Nursing her bonny young son.

    XLII

    ‘Now, by the rood,’ the King could say,
      ‘This is a comely sight;
    I trow, instead of a forrester,
      This is a lady bright!’

    XLIII

    Then out it spake White Lilly
      And fell down on her knee:
    ‘O pardon us, my gracious liege,
      An’ our story I’ll tell to thee.

    XLIV

    ‘Our father was a wealthy lord,
      That wonn’d in Barnèsdale;
    But we had a wicked step-mother,
      That wrought us mickle bale[400].

    XLV

    ‘Yet she had twa as fu’ fair sons
      As ever the sun did see;
    An’ the tane o’ them lo’ed my sister dear,
      An’ the tother said he lo’ed me.’

    XLVI

    Then out and spak’ him Bold Arthur,
      As by the King he stood,
    ‘Now, this should be my White Lilly,
      An’ that should be Rose the Red!’

    XLVII

    Then in it came him Brown Robin
      Frae hunting o’ the deer,
    But whan he saw the King was there,
      He started back for fear.

    XLVIII

    The King has ta’en him by the hand
      And bade him naething dread;
    Says, ‘Ye maun leave the good green-wood,
      Come to the court wi’ speed.’

    XLIX

    Then up he took Brown Robin’s son,
      And set him on his knee;
    Says, ‘Gin ye live to wield a bran’,
      My bowman ye sall be.’

    L

    The King he sent for robes o’ green,
      And girdles o’ shining gold;
    He gart the ladies be array’d
      Most comely to behold.

    LI

    They’ve doen them unto Mary Kirk,
      And there gat fair weddìng,
    And whan the news spread o’er the lan’,
      For joy the bells did ring.

    LII

    Then out it spak’ her Rose the Red,
      And a hearty laugh laugh’d she;
    ‘I wonder what would our step-dame say,
      Gin she this sight did see!’

FOOTNOTES:

[388] bigly = commodious, habitable.

[389] makes = means.

[390] bruik = brook enjoy.

[391] mane = moan.

[392] abune their bree = above their brows.

[393] hight = was called.

[394] Roun = roan, red.

[395] knave-bairn = man-child.

[396] pine = pain.

[397] dreed = endured.

[398] wons = dwells.

[399] fell = kill.

[400] bale = harm.




_56. Leesome Brand_

_or, The Sheath and the Knife_


    I

    ‘There is a feast in your father’s house,
    _The broom blooms bonnie and sae it is fair_--
    It becomes you and me to be very douce[401],
    _And we’ll never gang down to the broom nae mair.’_

    II

    But it is talk’d all over [the land],
    ‘Lady Marget’s plighted to Leesome Brand.’

    III

    He’s done him to her father’s stable
    And tane twa steeds baith wicht[402] and able:

    IV

    Ane for him, and another for her
    To carry them baith wi’ might and virr[403].

    V

    When they had ridden about six mile,
    Lady Marget then began to fail.

    VI

    ‘O gin I had but a gude midwife
    Here this day to save my life!

    VII

    ‘Ye’ll take your arrow and your bow
    And ye will hunt the deer and roe.

    VIII

    ‘But be sure ye touch not the milk-white hynde,
    For she is o’ the woman-kind.’

    IX

    He took sic pleasure in deer and rae
    Till he forgot his ladye gay.

    X

    Till by it came that milk-white hynde,
    And then he mind on his ladye syne.

    XI

    He heard her gie a loud, loud cry,
    He shot his bow, and he let her lie.

    XII

    When he saw she was lying still,
    He threw down his bow and came running her till[404];

    XIII

    But he found his ladye lying dead,
    Likewise her young son at her head.

    XIV

    He’s houkit[405] a grave, long, large and wide,
    He’s buried his auld[406] son doun by her side.

    XV

    It was nae wonder his heart was sair
    When he shool’d[407] the mools[408] on her yellow hair.

    XVI

    His mother lay owre her castle wa’;
    There was music and minstrels and dancing and a’.

    XVII

    [She said as she look’d owre] dale and down,
    ‘My son comes merrilie to the toun.’--

    XVIII

    ‘Seek nae minstrels to play in your room,
    Your son comes sorry to the toun.

    XIX

    ‘O I hae lost my gowden knife;
    I rather had lost my ain sweet life!

    XX

    ‘And I hae lost a far better thing,
    The gilded sheath that it was in.’--

    XXI

    ‘Are there nae gowdsmiths here in Fife
    Can make to you anither knife?

    XXII

    ‘Are there nae sheath-makers in the land
    Can make a sheath to Leesome Brand?’--

    XXIII

    ‘There are nae gowdsmiths here in Fife
    Can make to me sic a gowden knife;

    XXIV

    ‘Nor nae sheath-makers in the land
    Can make to me sic a sheath again.

    XXV

    ‘For I’ve lost my lady I loved sae dear,
    _The broom blooms bonnie and sae it is fair_--
    Likewise the son she did me bear,
    _And we’ll never gang doun to the broom nae mair._’

FOOTNOTES:

[401] douce = quiet.

[402] wicht = sturdy.

[403] virr = vigour.

[404] her till = to her.

[405] houkit = dug.

[406] auld = eldest, first-born.

[407] shool’d = shovelled.

[408] mools = mould.




_57. Babylon_

_or, The Bonnie Banks o’ Fordie_


    I

    There where three ladies live in a bower--
      _Eh, wow, bonnie!_
    And they went out to pull a flower
      _On the bonnie banks o’ Fordie._

    II

    They hadna pu’ed a flower but ane,
    When up started to them a banisht man.

    III

    He’s ta’en the first sister by her hand,
    And he’s turn’d her round and made her stand.

    IV

    ‘It’s whether will ye be a rank robber’s wife,
    Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?’

    V

    ‘It’s I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife,
    But I’ll rather die by your wee pen-knife.’

    VI

    He’s killed this may, and he’s laid her by,
    For to bear the red rose company.

    VII

    He’s ta’en the second ane by the hand,
    And he’s turn’d her round and made her stand.

    VIII

    ‘It’s whether will ye be a rank robber’s wife,
    Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?’

    IX

    ‘It’s I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife,
    But I’ll rather die by your wee pen-knife.’

    X

    He’s killed this may, and he’s laid her by,
    For to bear the red rose company.

    XI

    He’s taken the youngest ane by the hand,
    And he’s turn’d her round and made her stand.

    XII

    Says, ‘Will ye be a rank robber’s wife,
    Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?’

    XIII

    ‘It’s I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife,
    Nor will I die by your wee pen-knife.

    XIV

    ‘For in this wood a brother I hae;
    And gin ye kill me, it’s he’ll kill thee.’

    XV

    ‘What’s thy brother’s name? come tell to me.’
    ‘My brother’s name is Baby Lon.’

    XVI

    ‘O sister, sister, what have I done!
    O have I done this ill to thee!

    XVII

    ‘O since I’ve done this evil deed,
    Good sall never be my meed.’

    XVIII

    He’s taken out his wee pen-knife,
      _Eh, wow, bonnie!_
    And he’s twyn’d[409] himsel’ o’ his ain sweet life
      _On the bonnie banks o’ Fordie_.

FOOTNOTES:

[409] twyned = taken away, bereaved.




_58. Prince Robert_


    I

    Prince Robert has wedded a gay ladye,
      He has wedded her with a ring;
    Prince Robert has wedded a gay ladye,
      But he daur na bring her hame.

    II

    ‘Your blessing, your blessing, my mother dear,
      Your blessing now grant to me!’--
    ‘Instead of a blessing ye sall have my curse,
      And you’ll get nae blessing frae me.’

    III

    She has call’d upon her waiting-maid,
      To fill her a glass of wine;
    She has called upon her fause steward,
      To put rank poison in.

    IV

    She his put it to her roudès[410] lip,
      And to her roudès chin;
    She has put it to her fause, fause mouth,
      But the never a drop gaed in.

    V

    He has put it to his bonny mouth,
      And to his bonny chin,
    He’s put it to his cherry lip,
      And sae fast the rank poison ran in.

    VI

    ‘O ye hae poison’d your ae son, mother
      Your ae son and your heir;
    O ye hae poisoned your ae son, mother,
      And sons you’ll never hae mair.

    VII

    ‘O where will I get a little boy,
      That will win hose and shoon,
    To rin sae fast to Darlinton,
      And bid Fair Eleanor come?’

    VIII

    Then up and spake a little boy,
      That wad win hose and shoon,
    ‘O I’ll away to Darlinton,
      And bid Fair Eleanor come.’

    IX

    O he has run to Darlinton,
      And tirlèd at the pin;
    And wha was sae ready as Eleanor’s sel’
      To let the bonny boy in?

    X

    ‘Your gude-mother’s made ye a rare dinour,
      She’s made it baith gude and fine;
    Your gude-mother’s made ye a gay dinour,
      And ye maun come till her and dine.’

    XI

    It’s twenty lang miles to Sillertoun town,
      The langest that ever were gane;
    But the steed it was wight, and the ladye was light,
      And she cam’ linkin’ in.

    XII

    But when she came to Sillertoun town,
      And into Sillertoun ha’,
    The torches were burning, the ladies were mourning,
      And they were weeping a’.

    XIII

    ‘O where is now my wedded lord,
      And where now can he be?
    O where is now my wedded lord?
      For him I canna see.’--

    XIV

    ‘Your wedded lord is dead,’ she says,
      ‘And just gane to be laid in the clay;
    Your wedded lord is dead,’ she says,
      ‘And just gane to be buried the day.

    XV

    ‘Ye’se get nane o’ his gowd, ye’se get nane o’ his gear,
      Ye’se get nae thing frae me;
    Ye’se na get an inch o’ his gude broad land,
      Tho’ your heart suld burst in three.’

    XVI

    ‘I want nane o’ his gowd, I want nane o’ his gear,
      I want nae land frae thee;
    But I’ll hae the rings that’s on his finger,
      For them he did promise to me.’

    XVII

    ‘Ye’se na get the rings that’s on his finger,
      Ye’se na get them frae me;
    Ye’se na get the rings that’s on his finger,
      An’ your heart suld burst in three.’

    XVIII

    She’s turn’d her back unto the wa’,
      And her face unto a rock,
    And there, before the mother’s face,
      Her very heart it broke.

FOOTNOTES:

[410] roudès = hag-like.




_59. Young Andrew_


    I

    As I was cast in my first sleepe,
      A dreadfull draught[411] in my mind I drew,
    For I was dreamèd of a young man,
      Some men callèd him Yonge Andrew.

    II

    The moone shone bright, and it cast a fayre light:
      ‘Welcome,’ says she, ‘my honey, my sweete!
    For I have loved thee this seven long yeare,
      And our chance it was we co’ld never meete’

    III

    Then he tooke her in his armès two
      And kissèd her both cheeke and chin,
    And twise or thrise he kissèd this may[412]
      Before they two did part in twin.

    IV

    ‘Faire maid I cannot do as I wo’ld;
      [Yet what I can will I pleasure thee]
    Goe home and fett[413] thy father’s red gold,
      And I’le goe to the church and marry thee.’

    V

    This ladye is gone to her father’s hall,
      And well she knew where his red gold [lain],
    And counted forth five hundred pound,
      Besides all other jewels and chaines:

    VI

    And brought it all to Younge Andrew,
      It was well counted upon his knee:
    Then he tooke her by the lilye-white hand
      And led her up to an hill sae hie.

    VII

    She had on a gowne of blacke velvett,
      (A pityfull sight after ye shall see)
    ‘Put off thy clothes, bonny wenche,’ he sayes,
      ‘For no foot further thou’st gang with mee.’

    VIII

    But then she put off her gowne of velvett,
      With many a salt teare from her e’e,
    And in a kirtle of fine breaden[414] silke
      She stood before Yonge Andrew’s e’e.

    IX

    Sayes, ‘O put off thy kirtle of silke,
      For some and all shall goe with mee;
    Unto my owne lady I must it beare,
      Whom I must needs love better than thee!’

    X

    Then she put off her kirtle of silke,
      With many a salt teare still from her e’e;
    In a petticoate of scarlett redd
      She stood before Yonge Andrew’s e’e.

    XI

    Sayes, ‘O put off thy petticoate,
      For some and all shall goe with mee;
    Unto my owne ladye I will it beare,
      That dwells soe far in a strange countrye.’

    XII

    But then she put off her petticoate,
      With many a salt teare still from her e’e,
    And in a smocke of brave white silk
      She stood before Yonge Andrew’s e’e.

    XIII

    Sayes, ‘O put off thy smocke of silke,
      For some and all shall goe with me;
    Unto my owne ladye I will it beare,
      That dwells soe far in a strange countrye.’--

    XIV

    Sayes, ‘O remember, Yonge Andrew,
      Once of a woman you were borne;
    And for the birth that Marye bore
      I pray you let my smocke be upon!’--

    XV

    Sayes, ‘Yes, fayre ladye I know it well,
      Once of a woman I was borne;
    Yet for noe birth that Marye bore
      Thy smocke shall not be left upon.’

    XVI

    But then she put off her headgeare fine--
      She had billaments[415] worth a hundred pound--
    The hayre was upon that bonny wench’ head
      Cover’d her bodye downe to the ground.

    XVII

    Then he pull’d forth a Scottish brand,
      And held it there in his owne right hand;
    Sayes, ‘Whether wilt dye upon my sword’s point,
      Or thou wilt goe naked home againe?’--

    XVIII

    ‘Life is sweet,’ then, ‘Sir,’ said she,
      ‘Therefore I pray you leave me with mine;
    Before I wo’ld dye on your sword’s point
      I had rather goe naked home againe.

    XIX

    ‘My father,’ she sayes, ‘is a right good earle
      As any remaines in his owne countrye;
    Gif ever he doe your bodye take,
      You are sure to flower a gallow-tree.

    XX

    ‘And I have seven brethren,’ she sayes,
      ‘And they are all hardy men and bold;
    Gif ever they doe your bodye take
      You’ll never again gang quicke over molde.’--

    XXI

    ‘If your father be a right good earle
      As any remaines in his owne countrye,
    Tush! he shall never my bodye take,
      I’ll gang soe fast and over the sea.

    XXII

    ‘If you have seven brethren,’ he sayes,
      ‘If they be never soe hardy and bold,
    Tush! they shall never my bodye take,
      I’ll gang soe fast over Scottish molde.’

    XXIII

    This ladye is gone to her father’s hall,
      Where every body their rest did take;
    For but the Earle which was her father
      Lay wakin’ for his deere daughter’s sake.

    XXIV

    ‘But who is that,’ her father can say--
      ‘Who is’t soe privily knows the pinn?’
    ‘It’s Helen, your owne deere daughter, father,
      I pray you rise and lett me in!

    XXV

    [‘I pray you, pray you, lett me in!’--]
      ‘Noe, by my hood!’ quoth her father then;
    ‘My house thou’st never come within,
      Without I had my red gold againe.’

    XXVI

    ‘Nay, nay, your gold is gone, father,
      [Yet I pray you rise and let me in!’]
    ‘Then naked thou came into this world,
      And naked thou shalt return againe.’

    XXVII

    ‘Nay, God forgave His death, father,
      And soe I hope you will doe mee.’
    ‘Away, away, thou cursèd woman!
      Pray God an ill death thou may dee!’

    XXVIII

    I’ the morning, when her father got upp,
      A pittyful sight there he might see;
    His owne deere daughter was dead, without clothes,--
      And this was the end of that bonny ladye.

    XXIX

    But let us leave talking of this ladye
      And talke some more of Yonge Andrew:
    For false he was to this bonny ladye--
      More pitty that he had not beene true!

    XXX

    He was not gone in the forest a mile,
      Or half a mile into the heart of Wales,
    But a shee-wolfe caught him by such a wyle
      That hee must come to tell noe more tales.

    XXXI

    And now Yonge Andrew he is dead,
      But he never was buryèd under molde;
    And there as the wolfe devourèd him
      There lyès all this great Earle’s gold.

FOOTNOTES:

[411] draught = picture.

[412] may = maid.

[413] fett = fetch.

[414] breaden = braided.

[415] billaments = habiliments.




_60. The Gay Goshawk_


    I

    ‘O well’s me o’ my gay goss-hawk,
      That he can speak and flee!
    He’ll carry a letter to my love,
      Bring back another to me.’--

    II

    ‘O how can I your true-love ken,
      Or how can I her know?
    Whan frae her mouth I never heard couth[416],
      Nor wi’ my eyes her saw.’--

    III

    ‘O well sall ye my true-love ken,
      As soon as you her see;
    For, of a’ the flow’rs in fair England,
      The fairest flow’r is she.

    IV

    ‘At even at my love’s bower-door
      There grows a bowing birk,
    An’ sit ye down and sing thereon,
      As she gangs to the kirk.

    V

    ‘An’ four-and-twenty ladies fair
      Will wash and go to kirk,
    But well sall ye my true-love ken,
      For she wears gowd on her skirt.

    VI

    ‘An’ four-and-twenty gay ladies
      Will to the mass repair,
    But well sall ye my true-love ken,
      For she wears gowd on her hair.’

    VII

    O even at that lady’s bower door
      There grows a bowing birk,
    An’ he set down and sang thereon,
      As she gaed to the kirk.

    VIII

    ‘O eet and drink, my marys[417] a’,
      The wine flows you among,
    Till I gang to my shot-window[418],
      An’ hear yon bonny bird’s song.

    IX

    ‘Sing on, sing on, my bonny bird,
      The song ye sang the streen[419],
    For I ken by your sweet singin’
      You’re frae my true-love sen.’

    X

    O first he sang a merry song,
      An’ then he sang a grave,
    An’ then he peck’d his feathers gray,
      To her the letter gave.

    XI

    ‘Ha, there’s a letter frae your love,
      He says he sent you three;
    He canna wait your luve langer,
      But for your sake he’ll dee.

    XII

    ‘He bids you write a letter to him;
      He says he’s sent you five;
    He canna wait your luve langer,
      Tho’ you’re the fairest alive.’--

    XIII

    ‘Ye bid him bake his bridal-bread,
      And brew his bridal-ale,
    An’ I’ll meet him in fair Scotland
      Lang, lang or it be stale.’

    XIV

    She’s doen her to her father dear
      Fa’n low down on her knee:
    ‘A boon, a boon, my father dear
      I pray you, grant it me!’--

    XV

    ‘Ask on, ask on, my daughter,
      An’ granted it sall be;
    Except ae squire in fair Scotland,
      An’ him you sall never see.’--

    XVI

    ‘The only boon, my father dear,
      That I do crave of thee,
    Is, gin I die in southin lands,
      In Scotland to bury me.

    XVII

    ‘An’ the firstin kirk that ye come till,
      Ye gar the bells be rung,
    An’ the nextin kirk that ye come till,
      Ye gar the mass be sung.

    XVIII

    ‘An’ the thirdin kirk that ye come till,
      You deal gold for my sake,
    An’ the fourthin kirk that ye come till,
      You tarry there till night.’

    XIX

    She is doen her to her bigly[420] bow’r,
      As fast as she could fare,
    An’ she has tane a sleepy draught,
      That she had mixt wi’ care.

    XX

    She’s laid her down upon her bed,
      An’ soon she’s fa’n asleep,
    And soon o’er every tender limb
      Cauld death began to creep.

    XXI

    Whan night was flown, an’ day was come,
      Nae ane that did her see
    But thought she was as surely dead
      As ony lady cou’d be.

    XXII

    Her father an’ her brothers dear
      Gar’d make to her a bier;
    The tae half was o’ guid red gold,
      The tither o’ silver clear.

    XXIII

    Her mither an’ her sisters fair
      Gar’d work for her a sark;
    The tae half was o’ cambrick fine,
      The tither o’ needle wark.

    XXIV

    The firstin kirk that they came till,
      They gar’d the bells be rung,
    An’ the nextin kirk that they came till,
      They gar’d the mass be sung.

    XXV

    The thirdin kirk that they came till,
      They dealt gold for her sake,
    An’ the fourthin kirk that they came till,
      Lo, there they met her make[421]!

    XXVI

    ‘Lay down, lay down the bigly bier,
      Lat me the dead look on!’--
    Wi’ cherry cheeks and ruby lips
      She lay and smil’d on him.

    XXVII

    ‘O ae sheave[422] o’ your bread, true love,
      An’ ae glass o’ your wine!
    For I hae fasted for your sake
      These fully days is nine.

    XXVIII

    ‘Gang hame, gang hame, my seven bold brothers,
      Gang hame and sound your horn;
    An’ ye may boast in southin lands
      Your sister’s play’d you scorn!’

FOOTNOTES:

[416] couth = word.

[417] marys = maidens.

[418] shot-window here = bow-window.

[419] the streen = yestreen.

[420] bigly = commodious.

[421] make = mate, lover.

[422] sheave = slice.




_61. Willie’s Lyke-Wake_


    I

    ‘Willie, Willie, what makes you sae sad?’
      _And the sun shines over the valleys and a’_--
    ‘I lie sairly sick for the love of a maid.’
      _Amang the blue flowers and the yellow and a’._

    II

    ‘O Willie, my son, I’ll learn you a wile,
    How this pretty fair maid ye may beguile.

    III

    ‘Ye maun lie doun just as ye were dead,
    And tak’ your windin’-sheet round your head.

    IV

    ‘Ye maun gie the bellman his bell-groat,
    To ring your dead-bell at your lover’s yett[423].’

    V

    Willie lay doun just as he war dead,
    And took his windin’-sheet round his head.

    VI

    He gied the bellman his bell-groat
    To ring his dead-bell at his lover’s yett.

    VII

    ‘O wha is this that is dead, I hear?’--
    ‘O wha but Willie that lo’ed ye sae dear?’

    VIII

    She is hame to her father’s ain bour:
    ‘I’ll gang to yon lyke-wake[424] ae single hour.’--

    IX

    ‘Ye maun tak’ with you your brither John;
    It’s not meet for maidens to venture alone.’--

    X

    ‘I’ll not tak’ with me my brither John,
    But I’ll gang along myself all alone.’

    XI

    It’s when she cam’ to her true lovers yett,
    She dealt the red gold round for his sak’.

    XII

    It’s when she came to her true lover’s bed
    She lifted the sheet to look at the dead.

    XIII

    He’s ta’en her hand sae meek and sae sma’,
    [And ca’d her his wife before them a’].

    XIV

    ‘Fair maid, ye cam’ without horse or boy,
    But I’ll send you home with a merry convoy.’

FOOTNOTES:

[423] yett = gate.

[424] lyke-wake = corpse-watching.




_62. Fair Margaret and Sweet William_


    I

    As it fell out on a long summer’s day,
      Two lovers they sat on a hill:
    They sat together that long summer’s day,
      And could not talk their fill.

    II

    ‘I see no harm by you, Margaret,
      Nor you see none by me;
    Before to-morrow eight o’clock
      A rich wedding shall you see.’

    III

    Fair Margaret sat in her bower-window
      Combing her yellow hair,
    She saw Sweet William and his brown bride
      Unto the church draw near.

    IV

    Then down she laid her ivory comb,
      And up she bound her hair;
    She went out from her bower alive
      But alive never more came there.

    V

    When day was gone, and night was come,
      And all men fast asleep,
    Came in the ghost of fair Margaret,
      And stood at William’s feet.

    VI

    ‘How like ye the lady, Sweet William,
      That lies in your arms asleep?
    God give you joy of your gay bride-bed,
      And me of my winding-sheet!’

    VII

    When night was gone, and day was come,
      And all men waked from sleep,
    His lady said to Sweet William,
      ‘My dear, I have cause to weep:

    VIII

    ‘I dream’d a dream, Sweet William,
      That seldom comes to good:
    My bower was fill’d with wild-wood swine,
      And our bride-bed full of blood.’

    IX

    He callèd up his merry men all,
      By one, by two, by three.
    Saying, ‘I’ll away to Fair Margaret’s bower,
      With the leave of my ladye.’

    X

    And when he came to Fair Margaret’s bower
      He knockèd at the ring;
    And who so ready as her seven brothers
      To rise and let him in?

    XI

    ‘O, is she in the parlour?’ he said,
      ‘Or is she in the hall?
    Or is she in the long chamber
      Amongst her merry maids all?’--

    XII

    ‘No, she’s not in the parlour,’ they said,
      ‘Nor she’s not in the hall:
    But she is in the long chamber,
      Laid out against the wall.’--

    XIII

    He turnèd up the covering-sheet,
      And look’d upon the dead.
    ‘Methinks her lips are pale and wan,
      She has lost her cherry red.’

    XIV

    With that bespake the seven brothers,
      Making a piteous moan:
    ‘You may go kiss your jolly brown bride,
      And let our sister alone.’--

    XV

    ‘If I do kiss my jolly brown bride,
      I do but what is right;
    For I made no vow to your sister dear,
      By day nor yet by night.

    XVI

    ‘Deal on, deal on, my merry men all,
      Deal on your cake and wine!
    For whatever is dealt at her funeral to-day
      Shall be dealt to-morrow at mine.’

    XVII

    Fair Margaret died on the over night,
      Sweet William died on the morrow:
    Fair Margaret died for pure, pure love,
      Sweet William died for sorrow.

    XVIII

    Go with your right to Newcastle,
      And come with your left side home;
    There you will see these two lovers
      Lie printed on one stone.




_63. The Twa Brothers_


    I

    There were twa brethren in the North,
      They went to school thegither;
    The one unto the other said,
      ‘Will you try a warsle[425], brither?’

    II

    They warsled up, they warsled down,
      Till Sir John fell to the ground,
    And there was a knife in Sir Willie’s pouch
      Gied him a deadly wound.

    III

    ‘Tak’ aff, tak’ aff my holland sark,
      Rive[426] it frae gare[427] to gare.
    And stap it in my bleeding wound--
      ’Twill aiblins[428] bleed nae mair.’

    IV

    He’s pu’it aff his holland sark,
      Rave it frae gare to gare,
    And stapt it in his bleeding wound--
      But aye it bled the mair.

    V

    ‘O tak’ now aff my green cleiding[429]
      And row[430] me saftly in,
    And carry me up to Chester kirk,
      Whar the grass grows fair and green.

    VI

    ‘But what will ye say to your father dear
      When ye gae home at e’en?’--
    ‘I’ll say ye’re lying at Chester kirk,
      Whar the grass grows fair and green.’--

    VII

    ‘O no, O no, when he speers[431] for me
      Saying, “William, whar is John?”
    Ye’ll say ye left me at Chester school
      Leaving the school alone.’

    VIII

    He’s ta’en him up upo’ his back,
      And borne him hence away,
    And carried him to Chester kirk,
      And laid him in the clay.

    IX

    But when he sat in his father’s chair,
      He grew baith pale and wan:
    ‘O what blude’s that upon your brow?
      And whar is your brither John?’--

    X

    ‘O John’s awa’ to Chester school,
      A scholar he’ll return;
    He bade me tell his father dear
      About him no’ to mourn.

    XI

    ‘And it is the blude o’ my gude grey steed;
      He wadna hunt for me.’--
    ‘O thy steed’s blude was ne’er so red,
      Nor ne’er so dear to me!

    XII

    ‘And whaten blude’s that upon your dirk?
      Dear Willie, tell to me.’--
    ‘It is the blude o’ my ae brither
      And dule and wae is me!’--

    XIII

    ‘O what sall I say to your mither?
      Dear Willie, tell to me.’--
    ‘I’ll saddle my steed and awa’ I’ll ride,
      To dwell in some far countrie.’--

    XIV

    ‘O when will ye come hame again?
      Dear Willie, tell to me!’--
    ‘When the sun and moon dance on yon green:
      And that will never be!’

FOOTNOTES:

[425] warsle = wrestle.

[426] rive = tear.

[427] gare = gore.

[428] aiblins = perhaps.

[429] cleiding = clothing.

[430] row = wrap.

[431] speers = asks.




_64. The Cruel Brother_


    I

    There were three ladies play’d at the ba’,
      _With a hey ho! and a lily gay!_
    By came a knight and he woo’d them a’
      _As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
          Sing Annet, and Marret, and fair Maisrie,
          As the dew hangs i’ the wood, gay ladie!_

    II

    The first ane she was clad in red:
    ‘O lady fair, Will you be my bride?’

    III

    The midmost ane was clad in green:
    ‘O lady fair, will you be my queen?’

    IV

    The youngest o’ them was clad in white:
    ‘O lady fair, be my heart’s delight!’--

    V

    ‘Sir knight ere ye my favour win,
    Ye maun get consent frae a’ my kin.

    VI

    ‘Ye maun go ask my father, the King:
    Sae maun ye ask my mither, the Queen.

    VII

    ‘Sae maun ye ask my sister Anne,
    And dinna forget my brother John.’

    VIII

    He has sought her from her father, the King
    And sae did he her mither, the Queen.

    IX

    He has sought her from her sister Anne:
    But he has forgot her brither John.

    X

    Now when the wedding day was come,
    The knight would take his bonny bride home.

    XI

    And many a lord and many a knight
    Came to behold that ladie bright.

    XII

    And there was nae man that did her see
    But wish’d himself bridegroom to be.

    XIII

    Her father led her down the stair,
    And her mither dear she kiss’d her there.

    XIV

    Her sister Anne led her thro’ the close,
    And her brother John set her on her horse.

    XV

    She lean’d her o’er the saddle-bow,
    To give him a kiss ere she did go.

    XVI

    He has ta’en a knife, baith lang and sharp,
    And stabb’d that bonny bride to the heart.

    XVII

    She hadna ridden half thro’ the town,
    Until her heart’s blude stain’d her gown.

    XVIII

    ‘Ride saftly up,’ said the best young man;
    ‘I think our bride come hooly[432] on.’

    XIX

    ‘Ride up, ride up,’ said the second man;
    ‘I think our bride looks pale and wan.’

    XX

    Up then comes the gay bridegroom,
    And straight unto the bride he came.

    XXI

    ‘Does your side-saddle sit awry?
    Or does your steed [go heavily]?’--

    XXII

    ‘O lead me gently over yon stile,
    For there would I sit and bleed awhile.

    XXIII

    ‘O lead me gently up yon hill,
    For there would I sit and make my will.’--

    XXIV

    ‘O what will you leave to your father dear?’--
    ‘The milk-white steed that brought me here.’--

    XXV

    ‘What will you leave to your mother dear?’--
    ‘My wedding shift that I do wear.’--

    XXVI

    ‘What will you leave to your sister Anne?’--
    ‘My silken snood and my golden fan.’--

    XXVII

    ‘What will you leave to your brother John?’--
      _With a hay ho! and a lily gay!_
    ‘The gallows-tree to hang him on.’
      _And the primrose spreads so sweetly.
          Sing Annet, and Marret, and fair Maisrie,
          And the dew hangs i’ the wood, gay ladie!_

FOOTNOTES:

[432] hooly = slowly, softly.




_65. Edward, Edward_


    I

    ‘Why does your brand sae drop wi’ blude,
            Edward, Edward?
    Why does your brand sae drop wi’ blude,
        And why sae sad gang ye, O?’--
    ‘O I hae kill’d my hawk sae gude,
            Mither, mither;
    O I hae kill’d my hawk sae gude,
        And I had nae mair but he, O.’

    II

    ‘Your hawk’s blude was never sae red,
            Edward, Edward;
    Your hawk’s blude was never sae red,
        My dear son, I tell thee, O.’--
    ‘O I hae kill’d my red-roan steed,
            Mither, mither;
    O I hae kill’d my red-roan steed,
        That erst was sae fair and free, O.’

    III

    ‘Your steed was auld, and ye hae got mair,
            Edward, Edward;
    Your steed was auld, and ye hae got mair;
        Some other dule ye dree[433], O.’--
    ‘O I hae kill’d my father dear,
            Mither, mither;
    O I hae kill’d my father dear,
        Alas, and wae is me, O!’

    IV

    ‘And whatten penance will ye dree for that,
            Edward, Edward?
    Whatten penance will ye dree for that?
        My dear son, now tell me, O.’--
    ‘I’ll set my feet in yonder boat,
            Mither, mither;
    I’ll set my feet in yonder boat,
        And I’ll fare over the sea, O.’

    V

    ‘And what will ye do wi’ your tow’rs and your ha’,
            Edward, Edward?
    And what will ye do wi’ your tow’rs and your ha’,
        That were sae fair to see, O?’--
    ‘I’ll let them stand till they doun fa’,
            Mither, mither;
    I’ll let them stand till they doun fa’,
        For here never mair maun I be, O.’

    VI

    ‘And what will ye leave to your bairns and your wife,
            Edward, Edward?
    And what will ye leave to your bairns and your wife,
        When ye gang owre the sea, O?’--
    ‘The warld’s room: let them beg through life,
            Mither, mither;
    The warld’s room: let them beg through life;
        For them never mair will I see, O.’

    VII

    ‘And what will ye leave to your ain mither dear,
            Edward, Edward?
    And what will ye leave to your ain mither dear,
        My dear son, now tell me, O?’--
    ‘The curse of hell frae me sall ye bear,
            Mither, mither;
    The curse of hell frae me sall ye bear:
        Sic counsels ye gave to me, O!’

FOOTNOTES:

[433] dule ye dree = grief you suffer.




_66. Lord Randal_


    I

    ‘O where hae ye been, Lord Randal, my son?
    O where hae ye been, my handsome young man?’--
    ‘I hae been to the wild wood; mother, make my bed soon,
    For I’m weary wi’ hunting, and fain wald lie down.’

    II

    ‘Where gat ye your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?
    Where gat ye your dinner, my handsome young man?’--
    ‘I dined wi’ my true-love; mother, make my bed soon,
    For I’m weary wi’ hunting, and fain wald lie down.’

    III

    ‘What gat ye to your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?
    What gat ye to your dinner, my handsome young man?’--
    ‘I gat eels boil’d in broo’; mother, make my bed soon,
    For I’m weary wi’ hunting, and fain wald lie down.’

    IV

    ‘What became of your bloodhounds, Lord Randal, my son?
    What became of your bloodhounds, my handsome young man?’--
    ‘O they swell’d and they died; mother, make my bed soon,
    For I’m weary wi’ hunting, and fain wald lie down.’

    V

    ‘O I fear ye are poison’d, Lord Randal, my son!
    O I fear ye are poison’d, my handsome young man!’--
    ‘O yes! I am poison’d; mother, make my bed soon,
    For I’m sick at the heart, and I fain wald lie down.’




_67. The Twa Corbies_

(SCOTTISH VERSION)


    I

    As I was walking all alane,
    I heard twa corbies[434] making a mane:
    The tane unto the tither did say,
    ‘Whar sall we gang and dine the day?’

    II

    ‘--In behint yon auld fail[435] dyke
    I wot there lies a new-slain knight;
    And naebody kens that he lies there
    But his hawk, his hound, and his lady fair.

    III

    ‘His hound is to the hunting gane,
    His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame,
    His lady’s ta’en anither mate,
    So we may mak’ our dinner sweet.

    IV

    ‘Ye’ll sit on his white hause[436]-bane,
    And I’ll pike out his bonny blue e’en:
    Wi’ ae lock o’ his gowden hair
    We’ll theek[437] our nest when it grows bare.

    V

    ‘Mony a one for him maks mane,
    But nane sall ken whar he is gane:
    O’er his white banes, when they are bare,
    The wind sall blaw for evermair.’

FOOTNOTES:

[434] corbies = ravens.

[435] fail = turf.

[436] hause = neck.

[437] theek = thatch.




_68. The Three Ravens_


    I

    There were three ravens sat on a tree,
    They were as black as they might be.

    II

    The one of them said to his make[438],
    ‘Where shall we our breakfast take?’

    III

    ‘Down in yonder greenè field
    There lies a knight slain under his shield;

    IV

    ‘His hounds they lie down at his feet,
    So well do they their master keep;

    V

    ‘His hawks they flie so eagerly,
    There’s no fowl dare come him nigh.

    VI

    ‘Down there comes a fallow doe
    As great with young as she might goe.

    VII

    ‘She lift up his bloudy head
    And kist his wounds that were so red.

    VIII

    ‘She gat him up upon her back
    And carried him to earthen lake.

    IX

    ‘She buried him before the prime,
    She was dead herself ere evensong time.

    X

    ‘God send every gentleman
    Such hounds, such hawks, and such a leman!’

FOOTNOTES:

[438] make = mate.




BOOK III




_69. The Nut-Brown Maid_


        I

  _He._ _Be it right or wrong, these men among
          On women do complain;
        Affirming this, how that it is
          A labour spent in vain
        To love them wele; for never a dele[439]
          They love a man again:
        For let a man do what he can
          Their favour to attain,
        Yet if a new to them pursue,
          Their first true lover than[440]
        Laboureth for naught; for from her thought
          He is a banished man._

        II

 _She._ _I say not nay, but that all day
          It is both written and said
        That woman’s faith is, as who saith
          All utterly decay’d:
        But nevertheless, right good witnèss
          In this case might be laid
        That they love true and continùe:
          Record the Nut-brown Maid,
        Which, when her love came her to prove,
          To her to make his moan,
        Would not depart; for in her heart
          She loved but him alone._

        III

  _He._ _Then between us let us discuss
          What was all the manere
        Between them two: we will also
          Tell all the pain in fere[441]
        That she was in. Now I begin,
          So that ye me answere:
        Wherefore all ye that present be,
          I pray you, give an ear.
        I am the Knight. I come by night,
          As secret as I can,
        Saying,_ Alas! thus standeth the case,
          I am a banished man.

        IV

 _She._ _And I your will for to fulfil
          In this will not refuse;
        Trusting to show, in wordès few,
          That men have an ill use--
        To their own shame--women to blame,
          And causeless them accuse.
        Therefore to you I answer now,
          All women to excuse:_
        Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer?
          I pray you, tell anone;
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        V

  _He._ It standeth so: a deed is do
          Whereof great harm shall grow:
        My destiny is for to die
          A shameful death, I trow;
        Or else to flee. The t’ one must be.
          None other way I know
        But to withdraw as an outlàw,
          And take me to my bow.
        Wherefore adieu, mine own heart true!
          None other rede I can[442]:
        For I must to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        VI

 _She._ O Lord, what is this worldis bliss,
          That changeth as the moon!
        My summer’s day in lusty May
          Is darked before the noon.
        I hear you say, farewell: Nay, nay,
          We dèpart not so soon.
        Why say ye so? whither will ye go?
          Alas! what have ye done?
        All my welfàre to sorrow and care
          Should change, if ye were gone:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        VII

  _He._ I can believe it shall you grieve,
          And somewhat you distrain[443];
        But afterward, your painès hard
          Within a day or twain
        Shall soon aslake; and ye shall take
          Comfort to you again.
        Why should ye ought? for, to make thought,
          Your labour were in vain.
        And thus I do; and pray you to,
          As hartèly as I can:
        For I must to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        VIII

 _She._ Now, sith that ye have showed to me
          The secret of your mind,
        I shall be plain to you again,
          Like as ye shall me find.
        Sith it is so that ye will go,
          I will not live behind.
        Shall never be said the Nut-brown Maid
          Was to her love unkind.
        Make you readỳ, for so am I,
          Although it were anone:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        IX

  _He._ Yet I you rede to take good heed
          What men will think and say:
        Of young, of old, it shall be told
          That ye be gone away
        Your wanton will for to fulfil,
          In green-wood you to play;
        And that ye might for your delight
          No longer make delay.
        Rather than ye should thus for me
          Be called an ill womàn
        Yet would I to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        X

 _She._ Though it be sung of old and young
          That I should be to blame,
        Theirs be the charge that speak so large
          In hurting of my name:
        For I will prove that faithful love
          It is devoid of shame;
        In your distress and heaviness
          To part with[444] you the same:
        And sure all tho[445] that do not so
          True lovers are they none:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XI

  _He._ I counsel you, Remember how
          It is no maiden’s law
        Nothing to doubt, but to run out
          To wood with an outlàw.
        For ye must there in your hand bear
          A bow readỳ to draw;
        And as a thief thus must you live
          Ever in dread and awe;
        Whereby to you great harm might grow:
          Yet had I liever than
        That I had to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XII

 _She._ I think not nay but as ye say;
          It is no maiden’s lore;
        But love may make me for your sake,
          As I have said before,
        To come on foot, to hunt and shoot,
          To get us meat and store;
        For so that I your company
          May have, I ask no more.
        From which to part it maketh my heart
          As cold as any stone;
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XIII

  _He._ For an outlàw this is the law,
          That men him take and bind:
        Without pitie, hangèd to be,
          And waver with the wind.
        If I had need (as God forbede!)
          What socours could ye find?
        Forsooth, I trow, you and your bow
          For fear would draw behind.
        And no mervail; for little avail
          Were in your counsel than:
        Wherefore I’ll to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XIV

 _She._ Right well know ye that women be
          But feeble for to fight;
        No womanhede it is, indeed,
          To be bold as a knight:
        Yet in such fear if that ye were
          With enemies day and night,
        I would withstand, with bow in hand,
          To grieve them as I might,
        And you to save; as women have
          From death men many one:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XV

  _He._ Yet take good hede; for ever I drede
          That ye could not sustain
        The thorny ways, the deep vallèys,
          The snow, the frost, the rain,
        The cold, the heat; for dry or wete,
          We must lodge on the plain;
        And, us above, no other roof
          But a brake bush or twain:
        Which soon should grieve you, I believe;
          And ye would gladly than
        That I had to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XVI

 _She._ Sith I have here been partynere
          With you of joy and bliss,
        I must alsò part of your woe
          Endure, as reason is:
        Yet I am sure of one pleasùre,
          And shortly it is this--
        That where ye be, me seemeth, pardé,
          I could not fare amiss.
        Without more speech I you beseech
          That we were shortly gone;
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XVII

  _He._ If ye go thyder, ye must consider,
          When ye have lust to dine,
        There shall no meat be for to gete,
          Nether bere, ale, ne wine,
        Ne shetès clean, to lie between,
          Made of the thread and twine;
        None other house, but leaves and boughs,
          To cover your head and mine.
        Lo, mine heart sweet, this ill diète
          Should make you pale and wan:
        Wherefore I’ll to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XVIII

 _She._ Among the wild deer such an archère,
          As men say that ye be,
        Ne may not fail of good vitayle
          Where is so great plentè:
        And water clear of the rivere
          Shall be full sweet to me;
        With which in hele[446] I shall right wele
          Endure, as ye shall see;
        And, or we go, a bed or two
          I can provide anone;
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XIX

  _He._ Lo yet, before, ye must do more,
          If ye will go with me:
        As, cut your hair up by your ear,
          Your kirtle by the knee;
        With bow in hand for to withstand
          Your enemies, if need be:
        And this same night, before daylight,
          To woodward will I flee.
        If that ye will all this fulfil,
          Do it shortly as ye can:
        Else will I to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XX

 _She._ I shall as now do more for you
          Than ’longeth to womanhede;
        To short my hair, a bow to bear,
          To shoot in time of need.
        O my sweet mother! before all other
          For you I have most drede!
        But now, adieu! I must ensue
          Where fortune doth me lead.
        All this make ye: Now let us flee;
          The day cometh fast upon:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XXI

  _He._ Nay, nay, not so; ye shall not go,
          And I shall tell you why--
        Your appetite is to be light
          Of love, I well espy:
        For, right as ye have said to me,
          In likewise hardily
        Ye would answere whosoever it were,
          In way of companỳ:
        It is said of old, Soon hot, soon cold;
          And so is a womàn:
        Wherefore I to the wood will go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XXII

 _She._ If ye take heed, it is no need
          Such words to say to me;
        For oft ye prayed, and long assayed,
          Or I loved you, pardè:
        And though that I of ancestry
          A baron’s daughter be,
        Yet have you proved how I you loved,
          A squire of low degree;
        And ever shall, whatso befall,
          To die therefore anone;
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XXIII

  _He._ A baron’s child to be beguiled,
          It were a cursèd deed!
        To be felàw with an outlaw--
          Almighty God forbede!
        Yet better were the poor squyere
          Alone to forest yede[447]
        Than ye shall say another day
          That by my cursèd rede
        Ye were betrayed. Wherefore, good maid,
          The best rede that I can,
        Is, that I to the green-wood go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XXIV

 _She._ Whatever befall, I never shall
          Of this thing be upbraid:
        But if ye go, and leave me so,
          Then have ye me betrayed.
        Remember you wele, how that ye dele;
          For if ye, as ye said,
        Be so unkind to leave behind
          Your love, the Nut-brown Maid,
        Trust me trulỳ that I shall die
          Soon after ye be gone:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XXV

  _He._ If that ye went, ye should repent;
          For in the forest now
        I have purveyed me of a maid
          Whom I love more than you:
        Another more fair than ever ye were
          I dare it well avow;
        And of you both each should be wroth
          With other, as I trow:
        It were mine ease to live in peace;
          So will I, if I can:
        Wherefore I to the wood will go,
          Alone, a banished man.

        XXVI

 _She._ Though in the wood I understood
          Ye had a paramour,
        All this may nought remove my thought,
          But that I will be your’:
        And she shall find me soft and kind
          And courteis every hour;
        Glad to fulfil all that she will
          Command me, to my power:
        For had ye, lo, an hundred mo,
          Yet would I be that one:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XXVII

  _He._ Mine own dear love, I see the prove
          That ye be kind and true;
        Of maid, of wife, in all my life,
          The best that ever I knew.
        Be merry and glad; be no more sad;
          The case is changèd new;
        For it were ruth that for your truth
          Ye should have cause to rue.
        Be not dismayed, whatsoever I said
          To you when I began;
        I will not to the green-wood go;
          I am no banished man.

        XXVIII

 _She._ These tidings be more glad to me
          Than to be made a queen,
        If I were sure they should endure;
          But it is often seen
        When men will break promise they speak
          The wordis on the splene[448].
        Ye shape some wile me to beguile,
          And steal from me, I ween:
        Then were the case worse than it was,
          And I more wo-begone:
        For, in my mind, of all mankind
          I love but you alone.

        XXIX

  _He._ Ye shall not nede further to drede:
          I will not disparàge
        You (God defend), sith you descend
          Of so great a linàge.
        Now understand: to Westmoreland,
          Which is my heritage,
        I will you bring; and with a ring,
          By way of marriàge
        I will you take, and lady make,
          As shortly as I can:
        Thus have you won an Earle’s son,
          And not a banished man.

        XXX

        _Here may ye see that women be
          In love meek, kind, and stable;
        Let never man reprove them than,
          Or call them variable;
        But rather pray God that we may
          To them be comfortable;
        Which sometime proveth such as He loveth,
          If they be charitable.
        For sith men would that women should
          Be meek to them each one;
        Much more ought they to God obey,
          And serve but Him alone._

FOOTNOTES:

[439] never a dele = never a bit.

[440] than = then.

[441] in fere = in company, together.

[442] rede I can = counsel I know.

[443] distrain = distress.

[444] part with = share with.

[445] tho = those.

[446] hele = health.

[447] yede = went.

[448] on the splene = in haste.




_70. Fause Foodrage_


    I

    King Easter has courted her for her lands,
      King Wester for her fee,
    King Honour for her comely face,
      And for her fair bodie.

    II

    They had not been four months married,
      As I have heard them tell,
    Until the nobles of the land
      Against them did rebel.

    III

    And they cast kevils[449] them amang,
      And kevils them between;
    And they cast kevils them amang,
      Wha suld gae kill the king.

    IV

    O, some said yea, and some said nay,
      Their words did not agree;
    Till up and got him, Fause Foodrage,
      And swore it suld be he.

    V

    When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
      And a’ men bound to bed,
    King Honour and his gay ladye
      In a high chamber were laid.

    VI

    Then up and raise him, Fause Foodrage,
      When a’ were fast asleep,
    And slew the porter in his lodge,
      That watch and ward did keep.

    VII

    O four-and-twenty silver keys
      Hang hie upon a pin;
    And aye, as ae door he did unlock,
      He has fasten’d it him behin’.

    VIII

    Then up and raise him, King Honour,
      Says--‘What means a’ this din?
    Or what’s the matter, Fause Foodrage,
      Or wha has loot you in?’--

    IX

    ‘O ye my errand weel sall learn,
      Before that I depart.’--
    Then drew a knife, baith lang and sharp,
      And pierced him to the heart.

    X

    Then up and got the Queen hersell,
      And fell low down on her knee,
    ‘O spare my life, now, Fause Foodrage!
      For I never injured thee.

    XI

    ‘O spare my life, now, Fause Foodrage!
      Until I lighter be!
    And see gin it be lad or lass,
      King Honour has left me wi’.’--

    XII

    ‘O gin it be a lass,’ he says,
      ‘Weel nursèd it sall be;
    But gin it be a lad bairn,
      He sall be hangèd hie.

    XIII

    ‘I winna spare for his tender age,
      Nor yet for his hie hie kin;
    But soon as e’er he born is,
      He sall mount the gallows pin.’--

    XIV

    O four-and-twenty valiant knights
      Were set the Queen to guard;
    And four stood aye at her bour door,
      To keep both watch and ward.

    XV

    But when the time drew near an end,
      That she suld lighter be,
    She cast about to find a wile,
      To set her body free.

    XVI

    O she has birled these merry young men
      With the ale but and the wine,
    Until they were a’ deadly drunk
      As any wild-wood swine.

    XVII

    ‘O narrow, narrow is this window,
      And big, big am I grown!’--
    Yet through the might of Our Ladye,
      Out at it she is gone.

    XVIII

    She wander’d up, she wander’d down,
      She wander’d out and in,
    And, at last, into the very swine’s stythe
      The Queen brought forth a son.

    XIX

    Then they cast kevils them amang,
      Which suld gae seek the Queen;
    And the kevil fell upon Wise William,
      And he sent his wife for him.

    XX

    O when she saw Wise William’s wife,
      The Queen fell on her knee:
    ‘Win up, win up, madam!’ she says:
      ‘What needs this courtesie?’--

    XXI

    ‘O out o’ this I winna rise,
      Till a boon ye grant to me;
    To change your lass for this lad bairn,
      King Honour left me wi’.

    XXII

    ‘And ye maun learn my gay goss-hawk
      Right weel to breast a steed;
    And I sall learn your turtle dow[450]
      As weel to write and read.

    XXIII

    ‘And ye maun learn my gay goss-hawk
      To wield both bow and brand;
    And I sall learn your turtle dow
      To lay gowd[451] wi’ her hand.

    XXIV

    ‘At kirk and market when we meet,
      We’ll dare make nae avowe,
    But--“Dame, how does my gay goss-hawk?”
      “Madame, how does my dow?”’

    XXV

    When days were gane, and years came on,
      Wise William he thought lang;
    And he has ta’en King Honour’s son
      A-hunting for to gang.

    XXVI

    It sae fell out, at this huntìng,
      Upon a simmer’s day,
    That they came by a fair castell,
      Stood on a sunny brae.

    XXVII

    ‘O dinna ye see that bonny castell,
      Wi’ halls and towers sae fair?
    Gin ilka man had back his ain,
      Of it you suld be heir.’--

    XXVIII

    ‘How I suld be heir of that castell,
      In sooth, I canna see;
    For it belangs to Fause Foodrage,
      And he is na kin to me.’--

    XXIX

    ‘O gin ye suld kill him, Fause Foodrage,
      You would do but what was right;
    For I wot he kill’d your father dear,
      Or ever ye saw the light.

    XXX

    ‘And gin ye suld kill him, Fause Foodrage,
      There is no man durst you blame;
    For he keeps your mother a prisoner,
      And she darna take ye hame.’--

    XXXI

    The boy stared wild like a gray goss-hawk;
      Says--‘What may a’ this mean?’--
    ‘My boy, ye are King Honour’s son,
      And your mother’s our lawful Queen.’--

    XXXII

    ‘O gin I be King Honour’s son,
      By Our Ladye I swear,
    This night I will that traitor slay,
      And relieve my mother dear!’--

    XXXIII

    He has set his bent bow to his breast
      And leaped the castell wa’;
    And soon he has seized on Fause Foodrage,
      Wha loud for help ’gan ca’.

    XXXIV

    ‘O haud your tongue, now, Fause Foodrage,
      Frae me ye shanna flee!’--
    Syne pierced him through the fause, fause heart,
      And set his mother free.

    XXXV

    And he has rewarded Wise William
      Wi’ the best half of his land;
    And sae has he the turtle dow,
      Wi’ the truth o’ his right hand.

FOOTNOTES:

[449] kevils = lots.

[450] dow = dove.

[451] lay gowd = embroider in gold.




_71. The Fair Flower of Northumberland_


    I

    It was a knight in Scotland born,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    Was taken prisoner and left forlorn,
      Even by the good Earl of Northumberland.

    II

    Then was he cast in prison strong,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    Where he could not walk nor lie along,
      Even by the good Earl of Northumberland.

    III

    And as in sorrow thus he lay,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    The Earl’s sweet daughter walk’d that way,
      And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

    IV

    And loud to her this knight did crie,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    The salt teares standing in his eye,
      And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

    V

    ‘Faire lady,’ he said, ‘take pity on me,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    And let me not in prison dee[452],
      And you the faire flower of Northumberland.’--

    VI

    ‘Faire sir, how should I take pity on thee?
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    Thou being a foe to our countrie,
      And I the faire flower of Northumberland.’

    VII

    ‘Faire lady, I am no foe,’ he said,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    ‘Through thy sweet love here was I stay’d,
      For thee, the faire flower of Northumberland.’--

    VIII

    ‘Why shouldst thou come here for love of me,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    Having wife and children in thy countrie?
      --And I the faire flower of Northumberland.’--

    IX

    ‘I swear by the blessèd Trinitie,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    I have no wife nor children, I,
      But I’ll make you my ladye in faire Scotland.

    X

    ‘I swear by Him that was crown’d with thorn,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    That I never had wife since the day I was born,
      But I live a free lord in faire Scotland.’--

    XI

    She stole from her father’s pillow the key,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    And soon out of prison she’s set him free
      To wend with her into faire Scotland.

    XII

    Likewise much gold she got by sleight,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    And all to help this forlorne knight
      To wend from her father to faire Scotland.

    XIII

    She’s led him down to her father’s stable,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    And she’s stolen two steeds both wight[453] and able,
      To carry them on to faire Scotland.

    XIV

    They rode till they came to a water clear,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    ‘Good Sir, how should I follow you here,
      And I the faire flower of Northumberland?

    XV

    ‘The water is rough and wonderful steepe,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    And on my saddle I shall not keepe,
      And I the faire flower of Northumberland.’--

    XVI

    ‘Fear not the ford, faire lady,’ quoth he,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    ‘For long I cannot stay for thee,
      And thou the faire flower of Northumberland.’

    XVII

    From top to toe all wet was she:
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    ‘This have I done for love of thee,
      And I the faire flower of Northumberland.’

    XVIII

    They rode till they came to a Scottish moss,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    He bade her light off from her father’s horse,
      Says, ‘Go, get you back to Northumberland.

    XIX

    ‘For I have a wife and children five,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    In Edenborrow they be alive,
      So get thee home to Northumberland.’--

    XX

    ‘Have pity on me as I had it on thee!
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    A cook in your kitchen I will be,
      Even I, the faire flower of Northumberland.

    XXI

    ‘Or take me by the body so meek,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    And throw me in the water so deep,
      For I darena go back to Northumberland.’

    XXII

    He turn’d him around and he thought of a plan,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    He bought an old horse and he hired an old man
      To carry her back to Northumberland.

    XXIII

    When she came thro’ her father’s ha’,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    She louted[454] her low amongst them a’,
      She was the faire flower of Northumberland.

    XXIV

    Down came her father, he saw her and smiled,
      _Follow, my love, come over the strand_--
    ‘You arena the first the false Scots have beguiled,
      And ye’re aye welcome back to Northumberland!’

FOOTNOTES:

[452] dee = die.

[453] wight = sturdy.

[454] louted = bowed.




_72. Young John_


    I

    A fair maid sat in her bower-door,
      Wringing her lily hands,
    And by it came a sprightly youth,
      Fast tripping o’er the strands.

    II

    ‘Where gang ye, young John,’ she says,
      ‘Sae early in the day?
    It gars me think, by your fast trip,
      Your journey’s far away.’

    III

    He turn’d about wi’ a surly look,
      And said, ‘What’s that to thee?
    I’m gaen to see a lovely maid,
      Mair fairer far than ye.’--

    IV

    ‘Now hae ye play’d me this, fause love,
      In simmer, ’mid the flowers?
    I shall repay ye back again,
      In winter, ’mid the showers.

    V

    ‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
      Will ye not turn again?
    For as ye look to other women,
      Sall I to other men.’--

    VI

    ‘Go make your choice of whom you please,
      For I my choice will have;
    I’ve chosen a maid more fair than thee,
      I never will deceive.’

    VII

    She’s kilted up her claithing fine,
      And after him gaed she;
    But aye he said, ‘Ye’ll turn again,
      Nae farther gang wi’ me.’--

    VIII

    ‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
      Will ye ne’er love me again?
    Alas, for loving you sae well,
      And you nae me again!’

    IX

    The firstan town that they cam’ till,
      He bought her brooch and ring;
    And aye he bade her turn again,
      And nae farther gang wi’ him.

    X

    ‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
      Will ye ne’er love me again?
    Alas, for loving you sae well,
      And you nae me again!’

    XI

    The nextan town that they cam’ till,
      He bought her muff and gloves;
    But aye he bade her turn again,
      And choose some other loves.

    XII

    ‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
      Will ye ne’er love me again?
    Alas, for loving you sae well,
      And you nae me again!’

    XIII

    The nextan town that they cam’ till,
      His heart it grew mair fain,
    And he was as deep in love wi’ her
      As she was ower again.

    XIV

    The nextan town that they cam’ till,
      He bought her wedding gown,
    And made her lady of ha’s and bowers,
      Into sweet Berwick town.




_73. Lady Maisry_


    I

    The young lords o’ the north country
      Have all a-wooing gone,
    To win the love of Lady Maisry,
      But o’ them she wou’d hae none.

    II

    O they hae courted Lady Maisry
      Wi’ a’ kin kind of things;
    An’ they hae sought her Lady Maisry
      Wi’ brooches an’ wi’ rings.

    III

    An’ they ha’ sought her Lady Maisry
      Frae father and frae mother;
    An’ they ha’ sought her Lady Maisry
      Frae sister an’ frae brother.

    IV

    An’ they ha’ follow’d her Lady Maisry
      Thro’ chamber an’ thro’ ha’;
    But a’ that they cou’d say to her,
      Her answer still was Na.

    V

    ‘O haud your tongues, young men,’ she says,
      ‘An’ think nae mair o’ me;
    For I’ve gi’en my love to an English lord,
      An’ think nae mair o’ me.’

    VI

    Her father’s kitchy-boy heard that,
      An ill death may he dee!
    An’ he is on to her brother,
      As fast as gang cou’d he.

    VII

    ‘O is my father an’ my mother well,
      But an’ my brothers three?
    Gin my sister Lady Maisry be well,
      There’s naething can ail me.’--

    VIII

    ‘Your father an’ your mother is well,
      But an’ your brothers three;
    Your sister Lady Maisry’s well,
      So big wi’ bairn gangs she.’

    IX

    ‘Gin this be true you tell to me,
      My malison light on thee!
    But gin it be a lie you tell,
      You sal be hangit hie.’

    X

    He’s done him to his sister’s bow’r,
      Wi’ meikle doole an’ care;
    An’ there he saw her Lady Maisry
      Kaiming her yellow hair.

    XI

    ‘O wha is aught[455] that bairn,’ he says,
      ‘That ye sae big are wi’?
    And gin ye winna own the truth,
      This moment ye sall dee.’

    XII

    She turn’d her right and roun’ about,
      An’ the kame fell frae her han’;
    A trembling seiz’d her fair body,
      An’ her rosy cheek grew wan.

    XIII

    ‘O pardon me, my brother dear,
      An’ the truth I’ll tell to thee;
    My bairn it is to Lord William,
      An’ he is betroth’d to me.’--

    XIV

    ‘O cou’d na ye gotten dukes, or lords,
      Intill your ain country,
    That ye draw up wi’ an English dog,
      To bring this shame on me?

    XV

    ‘But ye maun gi’ up the English lord,
      Whan your young babe is born;
    For, gin you keep by him an hour langer,
      Your life sall be forlorn[456].’--

    XVI

    ‘I will gi’ up this English blood,
      Till my young babe be born;
    But the never a day nor hour langer,
      Tho’ my life should be forlorn.’--

    XVII

    ‘O whare is a’ my merry young men,
      Whom I gi’ meat and fee,
    To pu’ the thistle and the thorn,
      To burn this woman wi’?’--

    XVIII

    She turn’d her head on her left shoulder,
      Saw her girdle hang on a tree;
    ‘O God bless them wha gave me that,
      They’ll never give more to me.

    XIX

    ‘O whare will I get a bonny boy,
      To help me in my need,
    To rin wi’ haste to Lord William,
      And bid him come wi’ speed?’--

    XX

    O out it spake a bonny boy,
      Stood by her brother’s side:
    ‘O I would run your errand, lady,
      O’er a’ the world sae wide.

    XXI

    ‘Aft have I run your errands, lady,
      Whan blawn baith win’ and weet;
    But now I’ll rin your errand, lady,
      Wi’ saut tears on my cheek.’

    XXII

    O whan he came to broken briggs,
      He bent his bow and swam,
    An’ whan he came to the green grass growin’
      He slack’d his shoone and ran.

    XXIII

    O whan he came to Lord William’s gates,
      He baed[457] na to chap[458] or ca’,
    But set his bent bow till his breast,
      An’ lightly lap’ the wa’;
    An’, or the porter was at the gate,
      The boy was i’ the ha’.

    XXIV

    ‘O is my biggins[459] broken, boy?
      Or is my towers won?
    Or is my lady lighter yet,
      Of a dear daughter or son?’--

    XXV

    ‘Your biggin is na broken, sir,
      Nor is your towers won;
    But the fairest lady in a’ the land
      For you this day maun burn.’--

    XXVI

    ‘O saddle me the black, the black,
      Or saddle me the brown;
    O saddle me the swiftest steed
      That ever rade frae a town!’

    XXVII

    Or he was near a mile awa’,
      She heard his wild horse sneeze:
    ‘Mend up the fire, my false brother,
      It’s na come to my knees.’

    XXVIII

    O whan he lighted at the gate,
      She heard his bridle ring;
    ‘Mend up the fire, my false brother,
      It’s far yet frae my chin.

    XXIX

    ‘Mend up the fire to me, brother,
      Mend up the fire to me;
    For I see him comin’ hard an’ fast,
      Will soon mend it up to thee.

    XXX

    ‘O gin my hands had been loose, Willy,
      Sae hard as they are boun’,
    I would have turn’d me frae the gleed[460],
      And casten out your young son.’--

    XXXI

    ‘O I’ll gar burn for you, Maisry,
      Your father an’ your mother;
    An’ I’ll gar burn for you, Maisry,
      Your sister an’ your brother.

    XXXII

    ‘An’ I’ll gar burn for you, Maisry,
      The chief of a’ your kin;
    An’ the last bonfire that I come to,
      Mysel’ I will cast in.’

FOOTNOTES:

[455] aught = owed.

[456] forlorn = lost to you.

[457] baed = abode, tarried.

[458] chap = knock.

[459] biggins = buildings.

[460] gleed = glowing fire, embers.




_74. Bonny Bee Ho’m_


    I

    By Arthur’s Dale as late I went
      I heard a heavy moan;
    I heard a ladie lamenting sair,
      And ay she cried ‘Ohone!

    II

    ‘Ohone, alas! what shall I do,
      Tormented night and day!
    I never loved a love but ane,
      And now he’s gone away.

    III

    ‘But I will do for my true-love
      What ladies wou’d think sair;
    For seven year shall come and go
      Ere a kaim[461] gang in my hair.

    IV

    ‘There shall neither a shoe gang on my foot,
      Nor a kaim gang in my hair,
    Nor e’er a coal nor candle-light
      Shine in my bower nae mair.’

    V

    She thought her love had been on the sea,
      Fast sailing to Bee Ho’m;
    But he was in a quiet cham’er[462],
      Hearing his ladie’s moan.

    VI

    ‘Be husht, be husht, my ladie dear,
      I pray thee mourn not so;
    For I am deep sworn on a book
      To Bee Ho’m for to go.’

    VII

    She has gien him a chain of the beaten gowd,
      And a ring with a ruby stone:
    ‘As lang as this chain your body binds,
      Your blude can never be drawn.

    VIII

    ‘But gin this ring shou’d fade or fail,
      Or the stone shou’d change its hue,
    Be sure your love is dead and gone,
      Or she has proved untrue.’

    IX

    He had no been at Bonny Bee Ho’m
      A twelve month and a day,
    Till, looking on his gay gowd ring,
      The stone grew dark and gray.

    X

    ‘O ye take my riches to Bee Ho’m,
      And deal them presentlie,
    To the young that canna, the auld that maunna,
      And the blind that does not see.

    XI

    ‘Fight on, fight on, my merry men all!
      With you I’ll fight no more;
    But I will gang to some holy place
      And pray to the King of Glore[463].’

FOOTNOTES:

[461] kaim = comb.

[462] cham’er = chamber.

[463] Glore = Glory.




_75. Sir Patrick Spens_


    I. _The Sailing._

    I

    The king sits in Dunfermline town
      Drinking the blude-red wine;
    ‘O whare will I get a skeely[464] skipper
      To sail this new ship o’ mine?’

    II

    O up and spak an eldern knight,
      Sat at the king’s right knee:
    ‘Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
      That ever sail’d the sea.’

    III

    Our king has written a braid letter,
      And seal’d it with his hand,
    And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens,
      Was walking on the strand.

    IV

    ‘To Noroway, to Noroway,
      To Noroway o’er the faem;
    The king’s daughter o’ Noroway,
      ’Tis thou must bring her hame.’

    V

    The first word that Sir Patrick read
      So loud, loud laugh’d he;
    The neist word that Sir Patrick read
      The tear blinded his e’e.

    VI

    ‘O wha is this has done this deed
      And tauld the king o’ me,
    To send us out, at this time o’ year,
      To sail upon the sea?

    VII

    ‘Be it wind, be it weet, be it hail, be it sleet,
      Our ship must sail the faem;
    The king’s daughter o’ Noroway,
      ’Tis we must fetch her hame.’

    VIII

    They hoysed their sails on Monenday morn
      Wi’ a’ the speed they may;
    They hae landed in Noroway
      Upon a Wodensday.


    _II. The Return._

    IX

    ‘Mak ready, mak ready, my merry men a’!
      Our gude ship sails the morn.’--
    ‘Now ever alack, my master dear,
      I fear a deadly storm.

    X

    ‘I saw the new moon late yestreen
      Wi’ the auld moon in her arm;
    And if we gang to sea, master,
      I fear we’ll come to harm.’

    XI

    They hadna sail’d a league, a league,
      A league but barely three,
    When the lift[465] grew dark, and the wind blew loud,
      And gurly grew the sea.

    XII

    The ankers brak, and the topmast lap[466],
      It was sic a deadly storm:
    And the waves cam owre the broken ship
      Till a’ her sides were torn.

    XIII

    ‘O where will I get a gude sailor
      To tak’ my helm in hand,
    Till I get up to the tall topmast
      To see if I can spy land?’--

    XIV

    ‘O here am I, a sailor gude,
      To tak’ the helm in hand,
    Till you go up to the tall topmast,
      But I fear you’ll ne’er spy land.’

    XV

    He hadna gane a step, a step,
      A step but barely ane,
    When a bolt flew out of our goodly ship,
      And the saut sea it came in.

    XVI

    ‘Go fetch a web o’ the silken claith,
      Another o’ the twine,
    And wap[467] them into our ship’s side,
      And let nae the sea come in.’

    XVII

    They fetch’d a web o’ the silken claith,
      Another o’ the twine,
    And they wapp’d them round that gude ship’s side,
      But still the sea came in.

    XVIII

    O laith, laith were our gude Scots lords
      To wet their cork-heel’d shoon;
    But lang or a’ the play was play’d
      They wat their hats aboon.

    XIX

    And mony was the feather bed
      That flatter’d[468] on the faem;
    And mony was the gude lord’s son
      That never mair cam hame.

    XX

    O lang, lang may the ladies sit,
      Wi’ their fans into their hand,
    Before they see Sir Patrick Spens
      Come sailing to the strand!

    XXI

    And lang, lang may the maidens sit
      Wi’ their gowd kames[469] in their hair,
    A-waiting for their ain dear loves!
      For them they’ll see nae mair.

    XXII

    Half-owre, half-owre to Aberdour,
      ’Tis fifty fathoms deep;
    And there lies gude Sir Patrick Spens,
      Wi’ the Scots lords at his feet!

FOOTNOTES:

[464] skeely = skilful.

[465] lift = sky.

[466] lap = sprang.

[467] wap = wrap.

[468] flatter’d = tossed afloat.

[469] kames = combs.




_76. The Lord of Lorn_


    I

    It was the worthy Lord of Lorn,
      He was a lord of high degree;
    And he has set his one young son
      To school, to learn civility.

    II

    He learn’d more learning in one day
      Than other children did in three;
    And then bespake the schoolmaster,
      Unto the heir of Lorn said he:

    III

    ‘In faith thou art the honestest boy
      That ere I blinkt on with mine e’e;
    I think thou be some easterling born,
      The Holy Ghost it is with thee.’

    IV

    He said he was no easterling born,
      The child thus answer’d courteouslye:
    ‘My father he is the Lord of Lorn,
      And I his one young son, perdie.’

    V

    The schoolmaster turn’d round about,
      His angry mind he could not ’swage;
    He marvell’d the child could speak so wise,
      He being of so tender age.

    VI

    He girt the saddle to the steed,
      A golden bridle done him upon;
    He took his leave of his schoolfellows,
      And home this Child of Lorn has gone.

    VII

    And when he came to his father dear
      He kneelèd down upon his knee:
    ‘God’s blessing, father, I would ask,
      If Christ would grant you to give it me.’--

    VIII

    ‘Now God thee bless, my son, my heir,
      His servant in heaven that thou may be!
    What tidings hast thou brought me, child?
      Thou art comen home so hastilye.’--

    IX

    ‘Good tidings, father, I have you brought,
      Good tidings I hope it is to thee;
    There’s never a book in all Scotland
      But I can read it truëlye.’

    X

    A joyèd man his father was
      All in the place where he did stand:
    ‘My son, thou shalt go into France,
      To learn the speeches of ilka land.’

    XI

    ‘Who shall go with him?’ said his lady;
      ‘Husband, we have no more but he.’--
    ‘Madam,’ he saith, ‘my hend[470] steward,
      For he hath been true to you and me.’

    XII

    She call’d the steward to an account,
      A thousand pound she gave him anon;
    Says, ‘Steward, I’ll give thee as mickle more
      If thou be as good to my one son.’--

    XIII

    ‘If I be false unto my young lord,
      Then God be the like to me indeed!’
    --So now to France they both are gone,
      And the God [of Heaven] be their good speed!

    XIV

    Over the sea into France land
      They had not been three weeks to an end,
    But meat and drink the child got none,
      Nor penny of money in purse to spend.

    XV

    The child ran to a river’s side;
      He was fain to drink the water thin;
    And after follow’d the false steward
      To drown the bonny boy therein.

    XVI

    ‘But nay, by Mary!’ said the child,
      He askèd mercy pitifullye;
    ‘Good Steward, let me have my life,
      And all I have I will give to thee!’

    XVII

    Mercy to him the steward did take,
      And pull’d the child out o’er the brim
    But, ever alack, the more pitye!
      He took his clothing even from him.

    XVIII

    Says, ‘Do thou me off that velvet gown,
      The crimson hose beneath thy knee,
    And do me off thy cordinant[471] shoon
      That are buckled with the gold so free.

    XIX

    ‘Do thou me off thy satin doublèt,
      Thy shirtband wrought wi’ glisterin’ gold,
    And do me off thy golden chain
      About thy neck with many a fold.

    XX

    ‘And do me off thy velvet hat,
      With feather in it that is so fine;
    And all unto thy silken shirt,
      That’s work’d with many a golden seam.’

    XXI

    But when the child was naked stript,
      With skin as white as the lily flow’r,
    He might, for his body and his bewtie,
      Have been a princess’ paramour.

    XXII

    He put him in an old kelter[472] coat,
      And hose of the same above the knee,
    And he bade him go to a shepherd’s house,
      To tend sheep on a lonely lee.

    XXIII

    The child said, ‘What shall be my name?
      Prithee, good Steward, tell to me.’--
    ‘Thy name shall be Poor Disaware,
      To tend sheep on a lonely lee.’

    XXIV

    The child came to the shepherd’s house--
      O Lord! he weepèd pitifullye--
    Says, ‘Do you not want a servant-boy,
      To tend your sheep on a lonely lee?’

    XXV

    ‘I have no child,’ the shepherd said,
      ‘My boy, thou’st tarry and dwell with me;
    My living, my house, but and my goods,
      I’ll make thee heir of them all, perdie.’

    XXVI

    And then bespake the shepherd’s wife
      Unto the child so tenderlye:
    ‘Thou must take the sheep and go to the field,
      And tend them upon the lonely lee.’

    XXVII

    Now let us leave talk of the child
      That is tending sheep on the lonely lee,
    And we’ll talk more of the false steward,
      Of him and of his treacherye.

    XXVIII

    He bought himself a suit of apparel
      That any lord might a-seem’d to worn;
    He went a-wooing to the Duke’s daughter,
      And call’d himself the Lord of Lorn.

    XXIX

    The Duke he welcomed the [brisk] young lord
      With three baked stags and the Rhenish wine:
    If he had wist him the false steward,
      With the devil he’d have bade him dine.

    XXX

    But when they were at supper set
      With dainty delicates that was there,
    The Duke said, ‘If thou’lt wed my daughter
      I’ll give thee a thousand pound a year.’

    XXXI

    Then hand in hand the steward her took,
      And plight that lady his troth alone,
    That she should be his married wife,
      And he would make her the Lady of Lorn.

    XXXII

    The lady would see the roebuck run
      Up hills and dales and the forest free,
    When she was ’ware of a shepherd’s boy
      Was tending sheep on a lonely lee.

    XXXIII

    And ever he sigh’d and made his moan
      [Unto himself] most pitifullye,
    ‘My father is the Lord of Lorn,
      And knows not what’s become of me!’

    XXXIV

    O then bespake the lady gay
      And to her maid she spake anon,
    ‘Go fetch me hither yon shepherd’s boy:
      I’ll know why he doth make his moan.’

    XXXV

    But when he came to that lady fair
      He fell down low upon his knee;
    He was [of birth and] so brought up
      He needed not to learn courtesye.

    XXXVI

    ‘What is thy name? Where wast thou born?
      For whose sake makest thou this moan?’--
    ‘I am Poor Disaware, in Scotland born,
      And I mourn one dead these years agone.’--

    XXXVII

    ‘Tell me [of Scotland], thou bonny child,
      Tell me the truth and do not lee:
    Knowest thou there the young Lord of Lorn?
      He is come into France a-wooing of me.’--

    XXXVIII

    ‘Yes, that I do, madam,’ he said,
      ‘I know that lord, yea, verilye;
    The Lord of Lorn is a worthy lord,
      If he were at home in his own countrye.’--

    XXXIX

    ‘Wilt leave thy sheep, thou bonny child,
      And come in service unto me?’--
    ‘[I thank you, madam]; yea, forsooth,
      And at your bidding I will be.’

    XL

    When the steward look’d upon the child
      He ’gan bewrail[473] him villainouslye:
    ‘Where wast thou born, thou vagabone?
      Thou art a thief, I will prove thee.’

    XLI

    ‘Ha’ done! ha’ done!’ said the lady gay,
      ‘Peace, Lord of Lorn, I do pray thee!
    Without you bear him more good will,
      No favour will you get of me.’

    XLII

    O then bespake the false steward,
      ‘Believe me or no, I tell to thee,
    At Aberdonie, beyond the seas,
      His father robbèd thousands three.’

    XLIII

    But then bespake the Duke of France
      (The child was pleasant to his e’e),
    Says, ‘Boy, if thou love horses well,
      My groom of stables thou shalt be.’

    XLIV

    The child applied his office so well
      Till that twelve months drew to an end;
    He was so courteous and so true
      That every man became his friend.

    XLV

    He led a gelding forth one morning,
      To water him at the water so free--
    The gelding up, and with his head
      He hit the child above the e’e.

    XLVI

    ‘Woe worth thee, gelding!’ said the child,
      ‘Woe worth the mare that foalèd thee!
    Thou little knowest the Lord of Lorn:
      Thou’st stricken a lord of high degree.’

    XLVII

    The lady was in her garden green,
      And heard the child that made this moan:
    All weeping [straight] she ran to him
      And left her maidens all alone.

    XLVIII

    ‘Sing on thy song, thou stable groom,
      I will release thee of thy pain.’--
    ‘Nay, lady, I have made an oath;
      I dare not tell my tale again.’--

    XLIX

    ‘Sing on thy song, then, to thy gelding,
      And so thy oath shall savèd be.’--
    But when he told his horse the tale,
      O the lady wept full tenderlye.

    L

    She sent in for her father the Duke:
      ‘O sick I am, and like to dee!
    Put off my wedding, father,’ she said,
      ‘For the love of God, these monthës three.’

    LI

    The lady she did write a letter
      Full speedily with her own hand;
    She has sent it to the Lord of Lorn
      Wheras he dwelt in fair Scotland.

    LII

    When the Lord of Lorn had read the letter
      His lady wept, Lord! bitterlye;
    ‘Peace, Lady of Lorn, for Christ his love!
      And wroken[474] upon him I will be.’

    LIII

    The old lord call’d up his merry men,
      And all that he gave cloth and fee,
    With seven lords to ride beside him,
      And into the land of France rides he.

    LIV

    The wind was good, and they did sail
      Five hundred men into France land,
    Till they were ’ware of the Heir of Lorn,
      Stood with a porter’s staff in ’s hand.

    LV

    The lords then cast their hats into air,
      The serving-men fell on their knee.
    ‘What fools be yonder,’ said the steward,
      ‘That makes the porter courtesye?’

    LVI

    ‘Thou’rt a false thief,’ said the Lord of Lorn,
      ‘[This child, thy master] to betray!’
    And they set the castle round about,
      A swallow could not have flown away.

    LVII

    And when they had taken the false steward,
      By the law of France all hastilye
    A quest of lords there chosen was
      That judged this traitor he must dee.

    LVIII

    First they took him and hang’d him half,
      And then they lat him down anon,
    And quarter’d and put him in boiling lead,
      And there he was sodden, breast and bone.

    LIX

    O then bespake the Lord of Lorn,
      With many other lordës mo,
    ‘Sir Duke, if you be as willing as we,
      We’ll have a marriage before we go.’

    LX

    But then bespake the Duke of France,
      Unto the Child of Lorn right there:
    Says, ‘Heir of Lorn, if thou’lt marry my daughter,
      I’ll mend thy living a thousand a year.’

    LXI

    But then bespake that Child of Lorn,
      And answer’d the Duke right merrilye:
    ‘I had rather have her with a ring of gold
      Than all the gold you can proffer to me.’

FOOTNOTES:

[470] hend = courteous.

[471] cordinant = of Cordovan leather.

[472] kelter = of undyed wool.

[473] bewrail = rail at.

[474] wroken = revenged.




_77. Edom o’ Gordon_


    I

    It fell about the Martinmas,
      When the wind blew shrill and cauld,
    Said Edom o’ Gordon to his men,
      ‘We maun draw to a hauld[475].

    II

    ‘And what a hauld sall we draw to,
      My merry men and me?
    We will gae to the house o’ the Rodes,
      To see that fair ladye.’

    III

    The lady stood on her castle wa’,
      Beheld baith dale and down;
    There she was ’ware of a host of men
      Cam’ riding towards the town[476].

    IV

    ‘O see ye not, my merry men a’,
      O see ye not what I see?
    Methinks I see a host of men;
      I marvel wha they be.’

    V

    She ween’d it had been her lovely lord,
      As he cam riding hame;
    It was the traitor, Edom o’ Gordon,
      Wha reck’d nae sin nor shame.

    VI

    She had nae sooner buskit[477] hersell,
      And putten on her gown,
    But Edom o’ Gordon an’ his men
      Were round about the town.

    VII

    They had nae sooner supper set,
      Nae sooner said the grace,
    But Edom o’ Gordon an’ his men
      Were lighted about the place.

    VIII

    The lady ran up to her tower-head,
      Sae fast as she could hie,
    To see if by her fair speeches
      She could wi’ him agree.

    IX

    ‘Come doun to me, ye lady gay,
      Come doun, come doun to me;
    This night sall ye lig within mine arms,
      To-morrow my bride sall be.’--

    X

    ‘I winna come down, ye fals Gordon,
      I winna come down to thee;
    I winna forsake my ain dear lord,
      That is sae far frae me.’--

    XI

    ‘Gie owre your house, ye lady fair,
      Gie owre your house to me;
    Or I sall brenn yoursel’ therein,
      But and your babies three.’--

    XII

    ‘I winna gie owre, ye fals Gordon,
      To nae sic traitor as yee;
    And if ye brenn my ain dear babes,
      My lord sall make ye dree[478].

    XIII

    ‘Now reach my pistol, Glaud, my man,
      And charge ye weel my gun;
    For, but an I pierce that bluidy butcher,
      My babes, we been undone!’

    XIV

    She stood upon her castle wa’,
      And let twa bullets flee:
    She miss’d that bluidy butcher’s heart,
      And only razed his knee.

    XV

    ‘Set fire to the house!’ quo’ fals Gordon,
      All wud[479] wi’ dule and ire:
    ‘Fals lady, ye sall rue this deid
      As ye brenn in the fire!’--

    XVI

    ‘Wae worth, wae worth ye, Jock, my man!
      I paid ye weel your fee;
    Why pu’ ye out the grund-wa’[480] stane,
      Lets in the reek to me?

    XVII

    ‘And e’en wae worth ye, Jock, my man!
      I paid ye weel your hire;
    Why pu’ ye out the grund-wa’ stane,
      To me lets in the fire?’--

    XVIII

    ‘Ye paid me weel my hire, ladye,
      Ye paid me weel my fee:
    But now I’m Edom o’ Gordon’s man,
      Maun either do or dee.’

    XIX

    O then bespake her little son,
      Sat on the nurse’s knee:
    Says, ‘Mither dear, gie owre this house,
      For the reek it smithers me.’--

    XX

    ‘I wad gie a’ my gowd, my bairn,
      Sae wad I a’ my fee,
    For ae blast o’ the western wind,
      To blaw the reek frae thee.’

    XXI

    O then bespake her dochter dear--
      She was baith jimp[481] and sma’:
    ‘O row[482] me in a pair o’ sheets,
      And tow me owre the wa’!’

    XXII

    They row’d her in a pair o’ sheets,
      And tow’d her owre the wa’;
    But on the point o’ Gordon’s spear
      She gat a deadly fa’.

    XXIII

    O bonnie, bonnie was her mouth,
      And cherry were her cheiks,
    And clear, clear was her yellow hair,
      Whereon the red blood dreips.

    XXIV

    Then wi’ his spear he turn’d her owre;
      O gin her face was wane!
    He said, ‘Ye are the first that e’er
      I wish’d alive again.’

    XXV

    He turn’d her owre and owre again;
      O gin her skin was white!
    ‘I might hae spared that bonnie face
      To hae been some man’s delight.

    XXVI

    ‘Busk and boun[483], my merry men a’,
      For ill dooms I do guess;
    I canna look in that bonnie face
      As it lies on the grass.’--

    XXVII

    ‘Wha looks to freits[484], my master dear,
      It’s freits will follow them;
    Let it ne’er be said that Edom o’ Gordon
      Was daunted by a dame.’

    XXVIII

    But when the lady saw the fire
      Come flaming owre her head,
    She wept, and kiss’d her children twain,
      Says, ‘Bairns, we been but dead.’

    XXIX

    The Gordon then his bugle blew,
      And said, ‘Awa’, awa’!
    This house o’ the Rodes is a’ in a flame;
      I hauld it time to ga’.’

    XXX

    And this way lookit her ain dear lord,
      As he cam owre the lea;
    He saw his castle a’ in a lowe[485],
      As far as he could see.

    XXXI

    Then sair, O sair, his mind misgave,
      And all his heart was wae:
    ‘Put on, put on, my wighty[486] men,
      Sae fast as ye can gae.

    XXXII

    ‘Put on, put on, my wighty men,
      Sae fast as ye can drie!
    For he that’s hindmost o’ the thrang
     Sall ne’er get good o’ me.’

    XXXIII

    Then some they rade, and some they ran,
      Out-owre the grass and bent;
    But ere the foremost could win up,
      Baith lady and babes were brent.

    XXXIV

    And after the Gordon he is gane,
      Sae fast as he might drie;
    And soon i’ the Gordon’s foul heart’s blude
      He’s wroken[487] his dear ladye.

FOOTNOTES:

[475] hauld = place of shelter.

[476] town = stead.

[477] buskit = attired.

[478] dree = suffer.

[479] wud = mad.

[480] grund-wa’ = ground-wall.

[481] jimp = slender, trim.

[482] row = wrap.

[483] Busk and boun = trim up and prepare to go.

[484] freits = ill omen.

[485] lowe = flame.

[486] wighty = sturdy, active.

[487] wroken = avenged.




_78. Lamkin_


    I

    It’s Lamkin was a mason good
      As ever built wi’ stane;
    He built Lord Wearie’s castle,
      But payment got he nane.

    II

    ‘O pay me, Lord Wearie,
      Come, pay to me my fee.’--
    ‘I canna pay you, Lamkin,
      For I maun gang o’er the sea.’--

    III

    ‘O pay me now, Lord Wearie,
      Come, pay me out o’ hand.’--
    ‘I canna pay you, Lamkin,
      Unless I sell my land.’--

    IV

    ‘O gin ye winna pay me,
      I here sall mak’ a vow
    Before that ye come hame again,
      Ye sall hae cause to rue.’

    V

    Lord Wearie got a bonny ship,
      To sail the saut sea faem;
    Bade his lady weel the castle keep,
      Ay till he should come hame.

    VI

    ‘Gae bar the doors,’ the lady said,
      ‘Gae well the windows pin;
    And what care I for Lamkin
      Or any of his gang?’

    VII

    But the nourice was a fause limmer[488]
      As e’er hung on a tree;
    She laid a plot wi’ Lamkin,
      Whan her lord was o’er the sea.

    VIII

    She laid a plot wi’ Lamkin,
      When the servants were awa’,
    Loot him in at a little shot-window[489],
      And brought him to the ha’.

    IX

    ‘O whare’s a’ the men o’ this house,
      That ca’ me the Lamkin?’--
    ‘They’re at the barn-well thrashing;
      ’Twill be lang ere they come in.’--

    X

    ‘And whare’s the women o’ this house,
      That ca’ me the Lamkin?’--
    ‘They’re at the far well washing;
      ’Twill be lang ere they come in.’--

    XI

    ‘And whare’s the bairns o’ this house,
      That ca’ me the Lamkin?’--
    ‘They’re at the school reading;
      ’Twill be night or they come hame.’--

    XII

    ‘O whare’s the lady o’ this house,
      That ca’s me the Lamkin?’--
    ‘She’s up in her bower sewing,
      But we soon can bring her down.’

    XIII

    Then Lamkin’s tane a sharp knife,
      That hung down by his gare[490],
    And he has gi’en the bonny babe
      A deep wound and a sair.

    XIV

    Then Lamkin he rockèd,
      And the fause nourice sang,
    Till frae ilka bore[491] o’ the cradle
      The red blood out sprang.

    XV

    Then out it spak’ the lady,
      As she stood on the stair:
    ‘What ails my bairn, nourice,
      That he’s greeting[492] sae sair?

    XVI

    ‘O still my bairn, nourice,
      O still him wi’ the pap!’--
    ‘He winna still, lady,
      For this nor for that.’--

    XVII

    ‘O still my bairn, nourice,
      O still him wi’ the wand!’--
    ‘He winna still, lady,
      For a’ his father’s land.’--

    XVIII

    ‘O still my bairn, nourice,
      O still him wi’ the bell!’--
    ‘He winna still, lady,
      Till ye come down yoursel’.’--

    XIX

    O the firsten step she steppit,
      She steppit on a stane;
    But the neisten step she steppit,
      She met him Lamkin.

    XX

    ‘O mercy, mercy, Lamkin,
      Hae mercy upon me!
    Though you hae ta’en my young son’s life,
      Ye may let mysel’ be.’--

    XXI

    ‘O sall I kill her, nourice,
      Or sall I lat her be?’--
    ‘O kill her, kill her, Lamkin,
      For she ne’er was good to me.’--

    XXII

    ‘O scour the bason, nourice,
      And mak’ it fair and clean,
    For to keep this lady’s heart’s blood,
      For she’s come o’ noble kin.’--

    XXIII

    ‘There need nae bason, Lamkin,
      Lat it run through the floor;
    What better is the heart’s blood
      O’ the rich than o’ the poor?’

    XXIV

    But ere three months were at an end,
      Lord Wearie came again;
    But dowie[493], dowie was his heart
      When first he came hame.

    XXV

    ‘O wha’s blood is this,’ he says,
      ‘That lies in the cham’er[494]?’--
    ‘It is your lady’s heart’s blood;
      ’Tis as clear as the lamer[495].’--

    XXVI

    ‘And wha’s blood is this,’ he says,
      ‘That lies in my ha’?’--
    ‘It is your young son’s heart’s blood;
      ’Tis the clearest ava’[496].’

    XXVII

    O sweetly sang the black-bird
      That sat upon the tree;
    But sairer grat Lamkin,
      When he was condemn’d to dee.

    XXVIII

    And bonny sang the mavis
      Out o’ the thorny brake;
    But sairer grat the nourice,
      When she was tied to the stake.

FOOTNOTES:

[488] limmer = wretch, jade.

[489] shot-window = a window opening on a hinge.

[490] gare = a seam of the skirt.

[491] bore = hole, crevice.

[492] greeting = wailing, crying.

[493] dowie = heavy, sorrowful.

[494] cham’er = chamber.

[495] lamer = amber.

[496] ava’ = of all.




_79. Hugh of Lincoln_

_and The Jew’s Daughter_


    I

    A’ the boys of merry Lincoln
      Were playing at the ba’[497],
    And by it came him sweet Sir Hugh,
      And he play’d o’er them a’.

    II

    He kick’d the ba’ with his right foot,
      And catch’d it wi’ his knee,
    And thro’-and-thro’ the Jew’s window
      He gar’d the bonny ba’ flee.

    III

    He’s doen[498] him to the Jew’s castell,
      And walk’d it round about;
    And there he saw the Jew’s daughter
      At the window looking out.

    IV

    ‘Throw down the ba’, ye Jew’s daughter,
      Throw down the ba’ to me!’--
    ‘Never a bit,’ says the Jew’s daughter,
      ‘Till up to me come ye.’--

    V

    ‘How will I come up? How can I come up?
      How can I come up to thee?
    I winna come up, I darena come up,
      Without my play-feres[499] three.’

    VI

    She’s ta’en her to the Jew’s garden,
      Where the grass grew long and green,
    She’s pu’d an apple red and white
      To wyle the pretty boy in.

    VII

    She’s wyled him in through ae dark door,
      And sae has she through nine;
    She’s laid him on a dressing table,
      And stickit him like a swine.

    VIII

    And first came out the thick, thick blood,
      And syne came out the thin,
    And syne came out the bonny heart’s blood;
      There was no more within.

    IX

    She’s row’d[500] him in a cake o’ lead,
      Bade him lie still and sleep;
    She’s thrown him into Our Lady’s draw-well,
      Was fifty fathom deep.

    X

    When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
      And a’ the bairns came hame,
    Then every lady had hame her son,
      But Lady Helen had nane.

    XI

    She’s ta’en her mantle her about,
      Her coffer by the hand,
    And she’s gone out to seek her son,
      And wander’d o’er the land.

    XII

    She’s doen her to the Jew’s castell
      Where a’ were fast asleep;
    Cries, ‘Bonnie Sir Hugh, O pretty Sir Hugh,
      I pray you to me speak!’

    XIII

    She near’d Our Lady’s deep draw-well,
      And fell down on her knee:
    ‘Where’er ye be, my sweet Sir Hugh,
      I pray you speak to me!’--

    XIV

    ‘O the lead is wondrous heavy, mother,
      The well is wondrous deep;
    The little penknife sticks in my throat,
      And I downa[501] to ye speak.

    XV

    ‘Gae hame, gae hame, my mither dear,
      Prepare my winding sheet,
    And at the back o’ merry Lincoln
      The morn I will you meet.’

    XVI

    Now Lady Helen is gane hame,
      Made him a winding sheet,
    And at the back o’ merry Lincoln
      The dead corpse did her meet.

    XVII

    And a’ the bells o’ merry Lincoln
      Without men’s hands were rung;
    And a’ the books o’ merry Lincoln
      Were read without man’s tongue;
    And never was such a burial
      Sin’ Adam’s day begun.

FOOTNOTES:

[497] ba’ = ball, football.

[498] doen = betaken.

[499] play-feres = playfellows.

[500] row’d = wrapped.

[501] downa = cannot, have not the force to.




_80. The Heir of Linne_


    I

    The bonny heir, and the well-faur’d[502] heir,
      The weary heir o’ Linne--
    Yonder he stands at his father’s yetts[503],
      And naebody bids him in.

    II

    ‘O see for he gangs, and see for he stands,
      The unthrifty heir o’ Linne!
    O see for he stands on the cauld causey[504],
      And nane bids him come in!’

    III

    His father and mother were dead him fro’,
      And so was the head o’ his kin;
    To the cards and dice that he did run,
      Did neither cease nor blin[505].

    IV

    To drink the wine that was so clear
      With all he would mak’ merrye;
    And then bespake him John o’ the Scales,
      To the heir of Linne said he:

    V

    ‘How doest thou, thou Lord of Linne
      Doest want or gold or fee?
    Wilt thou not sell thy lands so broad
      To such a good fellow as me?’

    VI

    He told the gold upon the board,
      Wanted never a bare pennye:
    ‘The gold is thine, the land is mine,
      The heir of Linne I will be.’

    VII

    ‘Here’s gold enow,’ saith the heir of Linne,
      ‘For me and my companye.’
    He drank the wine that was so clear,
      And with all he made merrye.

    VIII

    Within three quarters of a year
      His gold it waxèd thin;
    His merry men were from him gone,
      Bade him, ‘To the de’il ye’se gang!’

    IX

    ‘Now well-a-day!’ said the heir of Linne,
      ‘I have left not one pennye.
    God be with my father!’ he said,
      ‘On his land he lived merrilye.’

    X

    His nourice at her window look’d,
      Beholding dale and down,
    And she beheld this distress’d young man
      Come walking to the town.

    XI

    ‘O see for he gangs, and see for he stands,
      The weary heir o’ Linne!
    O see for he stands on the cauld causey,
      And nane bids him come in!’--

    XII

    ‘Sing owre again that sang, nourice,
      The sang ye sung just now.’--
    ‘I never sung a sang i’ my life
      But I would sing owre to you.

    XIII

    ‘Come here, come here, Willy,’ she said,
      ‘And rest yoursel’ wi’ me;
    I hae seen you in better days,
      And in jovial companye.’--

    XIV

    ‘Gie me a sheave[506] o’ your bread, nourice,
      And a bottle o’ your wine,
    And I will pay it you owre again
      When I am Lord of Linne.’--

    XV

    ‘Ye’se get a sheave o’ my bread, Willy,
      And a bottle o’ my wine;
    But ye’ll pay me when the seas gang dry,
      For ye’ll ne’er be Lord o’ Linne.’

    XVI

    Then he turn’d him right and round about,
      As will a woman’s son,
    And aff he set and bent his way
      And cam’ to the house o’ Linne.

    XVII

    But when he cam’ to that castle,
      They were set down to dine;
    A score of nobles there he saw,
      Sat drinking at their wine.

    XVIII

    Then some bade gie him beef and fish,
      And some but bane and fin,
    And some bade gie him naething at a’,
      But let the palmer gang.

    XIX

    Then out it speaks him John o’ Scales,
      A saucy word spak’ he:
    ‘Put round the cup, give the beggar a sup,
      Let him fare on his way.’

    XX

    Then out it speaks Sir Ned Magnew,
      Ane o’ young Willy’s kin:
    ‘This youth was ance a sprightly boy
      As ever lived in Linne.’

    XXI

    He turn’d him right and round about,
      As will a woman’s son,
    Then minded him on a little wee key
      That his mother left to him.

    XXII

    His mother left him this little wee key
      A little before she deed;
    And bade him keep this little wee key
      Till he was in maist need.

    XXIII

    Then forth he went, these nobles left
      All drinking in the room;
    Wi’ walking rod intill his hand
      He walk’d the castle roun’:

    XXIV

    Till that he found a little door,
      And therein slipp’d the key;
    And there he found three chests in fere[507]
      Of the red and the white monie.

    XXV

    Back then through the nobles a’
      He went and did not blin,
    Until he cam’ where John o’ the Scales
      Was seated [at the wine].

    XXVI

    Then out and spake it John o’ Scales,
      He spake wi’ mock and jeer:
    ‘I’d gie a seat to the Lord o’ Linne
      If sae be that he were here.

    XXVII

    ‘When the lands o’ Linne a-selling were
      A’ men said they were free;
    I will sell them twenty pound better cheap
      Nor ever I bought of thee.’--

    XXVIII

    ‘I tak’ ye to witness, nobles a’!’
      --He cast him a God’s pennye[508]--
    ‘I will buy them twenty pound better cheap
      Nor ever he bought of me.’

    XXIX

    He’s done him to the gaming-table,
      For it stood fair and clean;
    And there he’s tould as much rich gold
      As free’d the lands o’ Linne.

    XXX

    He told the gold there over the board,
      Wanted never a broad pennye;
    ‘The gold is thine, the land is mine,
      Lord o’ Linne again I’ll be.’

    XXXI

    ‘Well-a-day!’ said John o’ the Scales’ wife,
      ‘Well-a-day, and woe is me!
    Yesterday I was the Lady o’ Linne,
      And now I’m a naebodye!’

    XXXII

    But ‘Fare thee well,’ said the heir of Linne,
      ‘Now John o’ the Scales!’ said he:
    ‘A curse light on me if ever again
      My lands be in jeopardye!’

FOOTNOTES:

[502] well-faur’d = well favoured.

[503] yetts = gates.

[504] causey = causeway, pavement.

[505] blin = stint, check.

[506] sheave = slice.

[507] in fere = together.

[508] God’s pennye = earnest or luck-penny.




_81. Fair Mary of Wallington_


    I

    When we were silly sisters seven,
      --Sisters were so fair,--
    Five of us were brave knights’ wives,
      And died in childbed lair[509].

    II

    Up then spake Fair Mary,
      Marry wou’d she nane;
    If ever she came in man’s bed,
      The same gate[510] wad she gang.

    III

    ‘Make no vows, Fair Mary,
      For fear they broken be;
    Here’s been the Knight of Wallington,
      Asking good will of thee.’--

    IV

    ‘If here’s been the knight, mother,
      Asking good will of me,
    Within three quarters of a year
      You may come bury me.’

    V

    But when she came to Wallington,
      And into Wallington hall,
    There she spy’d her [lord’s] mother,
      Walking about the wall.

    VI

    ‘You’re welcome, welcome, daughter dear,
      To thy castle and thy bowers.’--
    ‘I thank you kindly, mother,
      I hope they’ll soon be yours.’

    VII

    She had not been in Wallington
      Three quarters and a day,
    Till upon the ground she could not walk,
      She was a weary prey.

    VIII

    She had not been in Wallington
      Three quarters and a night,
    Till on the ground she could not walk,
      She was a weary wight.

    IX

    ‘Is there ne’er a boy into this town,
      Who’ll win him hose and shoon,
    That will run to fair Paddington,
      And bid my mother come?’

    X

    Up then spake a little boy,
      Near unto her a-kin:
    ‘Full oft I have your errands gone,
      But now I will it run.’

    XI

    Then she call’d her waiting-maid
      To bring up bread and wine:
    ‘Eat and drink, my bonny boy,
      Thou’ll ne’er eat more of mine.

    XII

    ‘Give my respects to my mother,
      She sits in her chair of stone,
    And ask her how she likes the news,
      Of seven to have but one?

    XIII

    ‘Give my respects to my mother,
      As she sits in her chair of oak,
    And bid her come to my sickening,
      Or my merry lake-wake[511].

    XIV

    ‘Give my love to my brothers
      William, Ralph, and John,
    And to my sister Betty fair,
      And to her white as bone:

    XV

    ‘And bid her keep her maidenhead,
      Be sure [to keep it lang:]
    For if e’er she come into man’s bed,
      The same gate will she gang.’

    XVI

    Away this little boy is gone,
      As fast as he could run;
    When he came where brigs were broke,
      He laid him down and swum.

    XVII

    When he saw the lady, he said,
      ‘Lord may your keeper be!’--
    ‘What news, my pretty boy,
      Hast thou to tell to me?’--

    XVIII

    ‘Your daughter Mary orders me
      As you sit in a chair of stone,
    To ask you how you like the news,
      Of seven to have but one?

    XIX

    ‘Your daughter gives you her commands,
      As you sit in a chair of oak,
    And bids you come to her sickening,
      Or her merry lake-wake.

    XX

    ‘She gives command to her brothers
      William, Ralph, and John,
    [And] to her sister Betty fair,
      And to her white as bone.

    XXI

    ‘She bids her keep her maidenhead,
      Be sure [to keep it lang:]
    For if e’er she come into man’s bed,
      The same gate will she gang.’

    XXII

    She kickt the table with her foot,
      She kickt it with her knee,
    The silver plate into the fire,
      So far she made it flee.

    XXIII

    Then she call’d her waiting-maid
      To bring her riding-hood,
    So did she on her stable-groom
      To bring her riding-steed.

    XXIV

    ‘Go saddle to me the black, the black,
      Go saddle to me the brown,
    Go saddle to me the swiftest steed
      That e’er rid to Wallington!’

    XXV

    When they came to Wallington,
      And into Wallington hall,
    There she spy’d her son Fenwick,
      Walking about the wall.

    XXVI

    ‘God save you, my dearest son,
      Lord may your keeper be!
    Tell me where is my daughter fair,
      That used to walk with thee?’

    XXVII

    He turn’d his head him round about,
      The tears did fill his e’e:
    ‘’Tis a month,’ he said, ‘since Fair Mary
      Took her chambers from me.’

    XXVIII

    She went on [to her daughter’s chamber];
      And there were in the hall
    Four and twenty ladies,
      Letting the tears down fall.

    XXIX

    Her daughter had a scope[512] into
      Her cheek and eke her chin,
    All to keep in her dear life
      Till her dear mother came.

    XXX

    ‘Come take the rings off my fingers,
      The skin it is so white,
    And give them to my mother dear,
      For she was all the wyte[513].

    XXXI

    ‘Come take the rings off my fingers,
      The veins they are so red,
    Give them to Sir William Fenwick,
      I’m sure his heart will bleed.’

    XXXII

    Then she took out a razor
      That was both sharp and fine,
    And out of her left side she has taken
      The heir of Wallington.

    XXXIII

    There is a race in Wallington,
      And that I rue full sare;
    Tho’ the cradle it be full spread up,
      The bride-bed is left bare.

FOOTNOTES:

[509] lair = lying-in.

[510] gate = way.

[511] lake-wake = lyke-wake, corpse-watching.

[512] scope = bandage, gag.

[513] wyte = blame, cause of trouble.




_82. Young Waters_


    I

    About Yule, when the wind blew cule,
      And the round tables began,
    O there is come to our King’s court
      Mony a well-favor’d man.

    II

    The Queen luikt owre the castle-wa’
      Beheld baith dale and down,
    And there she saw Young Waters
      Come riding to the town.

    III

    His footmen they did rin before,
      His horsemen rade behind;
    Ane mantel of the burning gowd
      Did keip him frae the wind.

    IV

    Gowden-graith’d[514] his horse before,
      And siller-shod behind;
    The horse Young Waters rade upon
      Was fleeter than the wind.

    V

    Out then spak’ a wylie lord,
      Unto the Queen said he:
    ‘O tell me wha’s the fairest face
      Rides in the company?’--

    VI

    ‘I’ve sene lord, and I’ve sene laird,
      And knights of high degree,
    Bot a fairer face than Young Waters’
      Mine eyne did never see.’

    VII

    Out then spake the jealous King,
      And an angry man was he:
    ‘O if he had bin twice as fair,
      You micht have excepted me.’

    VIII

    ‘You’re neither laird nor lord,’ she says,
      ‘But the King that wears the crown;
    There is not a knight in fair Scotland
      But to thee maun bow down.’

    IX

    For a’ that she cou’d do or say,
      Appeas’d he wad nae bee,
    But for the words which she had said,
      Young Waters he maun dee.

    X

    They hae ta’en Young Waters,
      And put fetters to his feet;
    They hae ta’en Young Waters, and
      Thrown him in dungeon deep.

    XI

    ‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,
      In the wind but and the weet;
    But I neir rade thro’ Stirling town
      Wi’ fetters at my feet.

    XII

    ‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,
      In the wind but and the rain;
    But I neir rade thro’ Stirling town
      Neir to return again.’

    XIII

    They hae ta’en to the heiding-hill[515]
      His young son in his craddle;
    And they hae ta’en to the heiding-hill
      His horse but and his saddle.

    XIV

    They hae ta’en to the heiding-hill
      His lady fair to see;
    And for the words the Queen had spoke
      Young Waters he did dee.

FOOTNOTES:

[514] graith’d = harnessed.

[515] heiding-hill = beheading mound.




_83. The Queen’s Marie_


    I

    Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,
      Wi’ ribbons in her hair;
    The King thought mair o’ Marie Hamilton
      Than ony that were there.

    II

    Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane
      Wi’ ribbons on her breast;
    The King thought mair o’ Marie Hamilton
      Than he listen’d to the priest.

    III

    Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,
      Wi’ gloves upon her hands;
    The King thought mair o’ Marie Hamilton
      Than the Queen and a’ her lands.

    IV

    She hadna been about the King’s court
      A month, but barely ane,
    Till she was beloved by a’ the King’s court,
      And the King the only man.

    V

    She hadna been about the King’s court
      A month, but barely three,
    Till frae the King’s court Marie Hamilton,
      Marie Hamilton durstna be.

    VI

    The King is to the Abbey gane,
      To pu’ the Abbey tree,
    To scale[516] the babe frae Marie’s heart;
      But the thing it wadna be.

    VII

    O she has row’d[517] it in her apron,
      And set it on the sea--
    ‘Gae sink ye or swim ye, bonny babe,
      Ye’se get nae mair o’ me.’

    VIII

    Word is to the kitchen gane,
      And word is to the ha’,
    And word is to the noble room
      Amang the ladies a’,
    That Marie Hamilton’s brought to bed,
      And the bonny babe’s miss’d and awa’.

    IX

    Scarcely had she lain down again,
      And scarcely fa’en asleep,
    When up and started our gude Queen
      Just at her bed-feet;
    Saying--‘Marie Hamilton, where’s your babe?
      For I am sure I heard it greet[518].’--

    X

    ‘O no, O no, my noble Queen!
      Think no sic thing to be;
    ’Twas but a stitch into my side,
      And sair it troubles me!’--

    XI

    ‘Get up, get up, Marie Hamilton:
      Get up and follow me;
    For I am going to Edinburgh town,
      A rich wedding for to see.’

    XII

    O slowly, slowly rase she up,
      And slowly put she on;
    And slowly rade she out the way
      Wi’ mony a weary groan.

    XIII

    The Queen was clad in scarlet,
      Her merry maids all in green;
    And every town that they cam to,
      They took Marie for the Queen.

    XIV

    ‘Ride hooly[519], hooly, gentlemen,
      Ride hooly now wi’ me!
    For never, I am sure, a wearier burd
      Rade in your companie.’

    XV

    But little wist Marie Hamilton,
      When she rade on the brown,
    That she was gaen to Edinburgh town,
      And a’ to be put down.

    XVI

    ‘Why weep ye sae, ye burgess wives,
      Why look ye sae on me?
    O I am going to Edinburgh town,
      A rich weddìng to see.’

    XVII

    When she gaed up the tolbooth stairs,
      The corks frae her heels did flee;
    And lang or e’er she cam down again,
      She was condemn’d to die.

    XVIII

    When she cam to the Netherbow port,
      She laugh’d loud laughters three;
    But when she came to the gallows foot
      The tears blinded her e’e.

    XIX

    ‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,
      The night she’ll hae but three;
    There was Marie Seaton, and Marie Beaton,
      And Marie Carmichael, and me.

    XX

    ‘O often have I dress’d my Queen,
      And put gowd upon her hair;
    But now I’ve gotten for my reward
      The gallows to be my share.

    XXI

    ‘Often have I dress’d my Queen
      And often made her bed;
    But now I’ve gotten for my reward
      The gallows tree to tread.

    XXII

    ‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,
      When ye sail owre the faem,
    Let neither my father nor mother get wit
      But that I’m coming hame.

    XXIII

    ‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,
      That sail upon the sea,
    That neither my father nor mother get wit
      The dog’s death I’m to die.

    XXIV

    ‘For if my father and mother got wit,
      And my bold brethren three,
    O mickle wad be the gude red blude
      This day wad be spilt for me!

    XXV

    ‘O little did my mother ken,
      The day she cradled me,
    The lands I was to travel in
      Or the death I was to die!’

FOOTNOTES:

[516] scale = drive away, get rid of.

[517] row’d = wrapped.

[518] greet = wail, cry.

[519] hooly = gently.




_84. The Outlaw Murray_


    I

    Ettrick Forest is a fair forest,
      In it grows many a seemly tree;
    There’s hart and hind, and dae and rae,
      And of a’ wild beasts great plentie.

    II

    There’s a castle, bigg’d[520] wi’ lime and stane;
      O gif it stands not pleasantlie!
    In the fore-front o’ that castle fair,
      Twa unicorns are bra’ to see;
    There’s the picture of a knight, and a lady bright,
      And the green hollìn[521] abune their bree[522].

    III

    There an Outlaw keeps five hundred men,
      He keeps a royal companie,
    His merry men are a’ in ae livery clad,
      O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see;
    He and his lady in purple clad,
      O gin they live not royallie!

    IV

    Word is gane to our noble King,
      In Edinburgh where that he lay,
    That there was an Outlaw in Ettrick Forest,
      Counted him nought, nor his courtrie[523] gay.

    V

    ‘I make a vow,’ then the gude King said,
    ‘Unto the Man that dear bought me,
    I’se either be King of Ettrick Forest,
    Or King of Scotland that Outlaw’s be!’

    VI

    Then spake the Earl hight Hamilton,
      And to the noble King said he,
    ‘My sovereign prince, some counsel take,
      First at your nobles, syne at me.

    VII

    ‘I rede[524] ye, send yon braw Outlaw till,
      And see gif your man come will he:
    Desire him come and be your man,
      And hold of you yon forest free.

    VIII

    ‘Gif he refuses to do that,
      We’ll conquess baith his lands and he!
    Or else we’ll throw his castle down,
      And mak’ a widow o’ his gay ladye.’

    IX

    The King call’d on a gentleman,
      James Boyd (the Earl of Arran his brother was he);
    When James he came before the King,
      He kneel’d before him on his knee.

    X

    ‘Welcome, James Boyd!’ said our noble King,
      ‘A message ye maun gang for me:
    Ye maun hie to Ettrick Forest,
      To yon Outlàw, where dwelleth he.

    XI

    ‘Ask him of whom he holds his lands,
      Or man wha may his master be,
    And desire him come and be my man,
      And hold of me yon forest free.

    XII

    ‘To Edinburgh to come and gang,
      A safe warrànt I sall him gie;
    And gif he refuses to do that,
      We’ll conquess baith his lands and he.

    XIII

    ‘Thou mayst vow I’ll cast his castle down,
      And mak’ a widow o’ his gay ladye;
    I’ll hang his merry men, pair by pair,
      In ony frith[525] where I may them see.’

    XIV

    James Boyd took his leave o’ the noble King,
      To Ettrick Forest fair cam’ he;
    Down Birkendale Brae when that he cam’,
      He saw the fair forest wi’ his e’e.

    XV

    Baith dae and rae, and hart and hin’,
      And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;
    He heard the bows that boldly ring,
      And arrows whidderand[526] him near by.

    XVI

    Of that fair castle he got a sight;
      The like he ne’er saw wi’ his e’e!
    On the fore-front o’ that castle fair,
      Twa unicorns were bra’ to see;
    The picture of a knight, and lady bright,
      And the green hollìn abune their bree.

    XVII

    Thereat he spyed five hundred men,
      Shooting with bows on Newark Lee;
    They were a’ in ae livery clad,
      O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see.

    XVIII

    His men were a’ clad in the green,
      The knight was armèd cap-a-pie,
    With a bended bow, on a milkwhite steed;
      And I wot they rank’d right bonnilie.

    XIX

    Thereby Boyd kend he was master man,
      And servèd him in his ain degree:
    ‘God mote thee save, brave Outlaw Murray!
      Thy ladye, and all thy chivalrie!’--
    ‘Marry, thou’s welcome, gentleman,
      Some king’s messenger thou seems to be.’--

    XX

    ‘The King of Scotland sent me here,
      And, gude Outlàw, I am sent to thee;
    I wad wot of whom ye hold your lands,
      Or man wha may thy master be?’--

    XXI

    ‘Thir lands are mine,’ the Outlaw said;
      ‘I own nae king in Christentie;
    Frae Soudron[527] I this forest wan,
      When the King nor his knights were not to see.’--

    XXII

    ‘He desires you’ll come to Edinburgh,
      And hauld of him this forest free;
    And, gif ye refuse to do this thing,
      He’ll conquess baith thy lands and thee.
    He hath vow’d to cast thy castle down,
      And mak’ a widow o’ thy gay ladye;

    XXIII

    ‘He’ll hang thy merry men, pair by pair,
      In ony frith where he may them find.’--
    ‘Ay, by my troth!’ the Outlaw said,
      ‘Than wad I think me far behind.

    XXIV

    ‘Ere the King my fair country get,
      This land that’s nativest to me,
    Mony o’ his nobles sall be cauld,
      Their ladies sall be right wearíe.’

    XXV

    Then spak’ his lady, fair of face:
      She said, ‘’Twere without consent of me,
    That an outlaw suld come before a King;
      I am right rad[528] of treasonrie.
    Bid him be gude to his lords at hame,
      For Edinburgh my lord sall never see.’

    XXVI

    James Boyd took his leave o’ the Outlaw keen,
      To Edinboro’ boun’ is he;
    When James he cam’ before the King,
      He kneelèd lowly on his knee.

    XXVII

    ‘Welcome, James Boyd!’ said our noble King,
      ‘What forest is Ettrick Forest free?’--
    ‘Ettrick Forest is the fairest forest
      That ever man saw wi’ his e’e.

    XXVIII

    ‘There’s the dae, the rae, the hart, the hin’,
      And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;
    There’s a pretty castle of lime and stane,
      O gif it stands not pleasantlie!

    XXIX

    ‘There’s in the fore-front o’ that castle
      Twa unicorns, sae bra’ to see,
    There’s the picture of a knight, and a lady bright,
      Wi’ the green hollìn abune their bree.

    XXX

    ‘There the Outlaw keeps five hundred men,
      He keeps a royal companie;
    His merry men in ae livery clad,
      O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see:
    He and his lady in purple clad;
      O gin they live not royallie!

    XXXI

    ‘He says, yon forest is his ain,
      He wan it frae the Soudronie;
    Sae as he wan it, sae will he keep it,
     Contrair all kings in Christentie.’--

    XXXII

    ‘Gar warn me Perthshire, and Angus baith,
      Fife, up and down, and Lothians three,
    And graith[529] my horse,’ said our noble King,
      ‘For to Ettrick Forest hie will I me.’

    XXXIII

    Then word is gane the Outlaw till,
      In Ettrick Forest, where dwelleth he,
    That the King was comand to Ettrick Forest,
      To conquess baith his lands and he.

    XXXIV

    ‘I mak’ a vow,’ the Outlaw said,
      ‘I mak’ a vow, and that trulie:
    Were there but three men to tak’ my part,
      Yon King’s coming full dear suld be!’

    XXXV

    Then messengers he callèd forth,
      And bade them hie them speedilye:
    ‘Ane of ye gae to Halliday,
      The Laird of the Corehead is he.

    XXXVI

    ‘He certain is my sister’s son;
      Bid him come quick and succour me;
    The King comes on for Ettrick Forest,
      And landless men we a’ will be.’--

    XXXVII

    ‘What news? what news?’ said Halliday,
      ‘Man, frae thy master unto me?’--
    ‘Not as ye would; seeking your aid;
      The King’s his mortal enemie.’--

    XXXVIII

    ‘Ay, by my troth!’ said Hailiday,
      ‘Even for that it repenteth me;
    For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest,
      He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.

    XXXIX

    ‘I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,
      And surely mair, if mae may be;
    And before he gets the forest fair,
      We a’ will die on Newark Lee!’

    XL

    The Outlaw call’d a messenger,
      And bid him hie him speedilye
    To Andrew Murray of Cockpool:
      ‘That man’s a dear cousin to me;
    Desire him come and mak’ me aid
      With a’ the power that he may be.’

    XLI

    ‘It stands me hard,’ Andrew Murray said,
      ‘Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me;
    To enter against a king wi’ crown,
      And set my lands in jeopardie!
    Yet, if I come not on the day,
      Surely at night he sall me see.’

    XLII

    To Sir James Murray of Traquair,
      A message came right speedilie:
    ‘What news? what news?’ James Murray said,
      ‘Man, frae thy master unto me?’--

    XLIII

    ‘What needs I tell? for weel ye ken
      The King’s his mortal enemie;
    And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest,
      And landless men ye a’ will be.’

    XLIV

    ‘And, by my troth,’ James Murray said,
      ‘Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee;
    The King has gifted my lands lang syne--
      It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.’

    XLV

    The King was comand thro’ Cadden Ford,
      And full five thousand men was he;
    They saw the dark forest them before,
      They thought it awsome for to see.

    XLVI

    Then spak’ the Earl hight Hamilton,
      And to the noble King said he,
    ‘My sovereign prince, some counsel tak’,
      First at your nobles, syne at me.

    XLVII

    ‘Desire him meet thee at Permanscore,
      And bring four in his companie;
    Five earls sall gang yoursell before,
      Gude cause that you suld honour’d be.

    XLVIII

    ‘And, gif he refuses to do that,
      With fire and sword we’ll follow thee;
    There sall never a Murray, after him,
      Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.’

    XLIX

    The King then call’d a gentleman,
      Royal banner-bearer there was he,
    James Hope Pringle of Torsonse by name;
      He cam’ and kneel’d upon his knee.

    L

    ‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
      A message ye maun gae for me:
    Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray,
      Surely where boldly bideth he.

    LI

    ‘Bid him meet me at Permanscore,
      And bring four in his companie;
    Five earls sall come mysell before,
      Gude reason I suld honour’d be.

    LII

    ‘And gif he refuses to do that,
      Bid him look for nae good o’ me;
    There sall never a Murray, after him,
      Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’

    LIII

    James cam’ before the Outlaw keen,
      And servèd him in his ain degree.--
    ‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
      What message frae the King to me?’--

    LIV

    ‘He bids ye meet him at Permanscore,
      And bring four in your company;
    Five earls shall gang himsell before,
      Nae mair in number will he be.

    LV

    ‘And gif you refuse to do that,
      (I freely here upgive wi’ thee,)
    He’ll cast your bonny castle down,
      And mak’ a widow o’ your gay ladye.
    There will never a Murray, after thysell,
      Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’--

    LVI

    ‘It stands me hard,’ the Outlaw said,
      ‘Judge gif it stands na hard wi’ me:
    What reck o’ the losing of mysell?--
      But a’ my offspring after me!

    LVII

    ‘Auld Halliday, young Halliday,
      Ye sall be twa to gang wi’ me;
    Andrew Murray, and Sir James Murray,
      We’ll be nae mae in companie.’

    LVIII

    When that they cam’ before the King,
      They fell before him on their knee:
    ‘Grant mercy, mercy, noble King!
      E’en for his sake that dyed on tree.’

    LIX

    ‘Siccan[530] like mercy sall ye have;
      On gallows ye sall hangit be!’--
    ‘Over God’s forbode,’ quoth the Outlaw then,
      ‘I hope your grace will better be!
    Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port,
      I trow thin guarded sall ye be.

    LX

    ‘Thir lands of Ettrick Forest fair,
      I wan them from the enemie;
    Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them,
      Contrair a’ kings in Christentie.’

    LXI

    All the nobles the King about,
      Said pity it were to see him dee.
    ‘Yet grant me mercy, sovereign prince,
      Extend your favour unto me!

    LXII

    ‘I’ll give thee the keys of my castell,
      Wi’ the blessing o’ my gay ladye,
    Gin thou’lt make me sheriff of this forest,
      And a’ my offspring after me.’--

    LXIII

    ‘Wilt thou give me the keys of thy castell,
      Wi’ the blessing of thy gay ladye?
    I’se make thee sheriff of Ettrick Forest,
      Surely while upward grows the tree;
    If you be not traitor to the King,
      Forfaulted[531] sall thou never be.’

    LXIV

    ‘But, Prince, what sall come o’ my men?
      When I gae back, traitor they’ll ca’ me.
    I had rather lose my life and land,
      Ere my merry men rebukèd me.’--

    LXV

    ‘Will your merry men amend their lives,
      An’ a’ their pardons I grant thee?
    Now, name thy lands where’er they lie,
      And here I render them to thee.’--

    LXVI

    ‘Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right,
      And Lewinshope still mine shall be;
    Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnès baith,
      My bow and arrow purchased me.

    LXVII

    ‘And I have native steads to me,
      The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;
    I have mony steads in Ettrick Forest,
      But them by name I dinna knaw.’

    LXVIII

    The keys of the castle he gave the King,
      Wi’ the blessing o’ his fair ladye;
    He was made sheriff of Ettrick Forest,
      Surely while upward grows the tree;
    And if he was na traitor to the King,
      Forfaulted he suld never be.

    LXIX

    Wha ever heard, in ony times,
      Siccan an outlaw in his degree
    Sic favour get before a King,
      As did Outlaw Murray of the forest free?

FOOTNOTES:

[520] bigg’d = built.

[521] hollin = holly.

[522] bree = brow.

[523] courtrie = courtiers.

[524] rede = advise.

[525] frith = wood.

[526] whidderand = whizzing.

[527] Soudron = Southron, English.

[528] rad = afraid.

[529] graith = harness.

[530] siccan = such.

[531] Forfaulted = forfeited.




_85. Glenlogie_


    I

    Four-and-twenty nobles rade to the King’s ha’,
    But bonny Glenlogie was the flow’r o’ them a’.

    II

    Lady Jeanie Melville cam’ trippin’ down the stair;
    When she saw Glenlogie her hairt it grew sair.

    III

    She call’d to the footman that ran by his side:
    Says, ‘What is your lord’s name, an’ where does he bide?’--

    IV

    ‘His name is Glenlogie when he is from home:
    He’s of the gay Gordons, his name it is John.’--

    V

    ‘Glenlogie, Glenlogie, an you will prove kind,
    My love is laid on you; I am tellin’ my mind.’--

    VI

    He turn’d about lightly, as the Gordons do a’;
    Says, ‘I thank you, Lady Jeanie, but I’m promised awa’.’

    VII

    She call’d on her maidens her bed for to make,
    Her rings from her fingers she did them a’ break.

    VIII

    ‘Where will I get a bonny boy, to win hose and shoon,
    To go to Glenlogie and bid Logie come?’

    IX

    When Glenlogie got the letter, amang noblemen,
    ‘I wonder,’ said Glenlogie, ‘what does young women mean?

    X

    ‘I wonder i’ the warld what women see at me,
    That bonny Jeanie Melville for my sake shou’d dee?

    XI

    ‘O what is my lineage, or what is my make,
    That bonny Jeanie Melville shou’d dee for my sake?

    XII

    ‘Go saddle my black horse, go saddle him soon,
    Till I ride to Bethelnie, to see Lady Jean!’

    XIII

    When he came to Bethelnie, he rade round about,
    And he saw Jeanie’s father at the window look out.

    XIV

    When he came to the gateway, small mirth was there;
    But was weepin’ and wailin’, a’ tearin’ their hair.

    XV

    O pale and wan look’d she when Glenlogie came ben,
    But red ruddy grew she whene’er he sat down.

    XVI

    ‘Turn round Jeanie Melville, turn round to this side,
    And I’ll be the bridegroom, and you’ll be the bride!’

    XVII

    O ’twas a merry weddin’, and the portion down told,
    Of bonny Jeanie Melville, scarce sixteen years old!




_86. Lady Elspat_


    I

    ‘O brent’s[532] your brow, my Lady Elspat;
      O gowden yellow is your hair!
    Of a’ the maids o’ fair Scotland
      There’s nane like Lady Elspat fair.’

    II

    ‘Perform your vows,’ she says, ‘Sweet William;
      The vows which ye ha’ made to me;
    And at the back o’ my mither’s castle
      This night I’ll surely meet wi’ thee.’

    III

    But wae be to her brother’s page,
      Wha heard the words this twa did say!
    He’s tauld them to her lady mither,
      Wha wrought Sweet William mickle wae.

    IV

    For she’s ta’en him, Sweet William,
      And she’s gar’d bind him wi’s bow-string.
    Till the red blood o’ his fair body
      Frae ilka nail o’ his hand did spring.

    V

    O it fell ance upon a time
      That the Lord Justice came to town;
    Out she has ta’en him, Sweet William,
      Brought him before the Lord Justice boun’.

    VI

    ‘And what is the crime now, madame,’ he says,
      ‘Has been committed by this young man?’--
    ‘O he has broken my bonny castle,
      That was well biggit[533] wi’ lime and stane.

    VII

    ‘And he has broken my bonny coffers,
      That was well bandit[534] wi’ aiken[535] ban’;
    And he has stolen my rich jewels;
      I wot he has them every ane.’

    VIII

    Then out it spak’ her Lady Elspat
      As she sat by the Lord Justice’ knee:
    ‘Now ye hae tauld your tale, mither,
      I pray, Lord Justice, you’ll now hear me.

    IX

    ‘He hasna broken her bonny castle,
      That was well biggit wi’ lime and stane;
    Nor has he stolen her rich jewels,
      For I wot she has them every one.

    X

    ‘But tho’ he was my first true love,
      And tho’ I had sworn to be his bride,
    ’Cause he had not a great estate
      She would this way our loves divide.’

    XI

    Then out it spak’ the Lord Justice
      (I wot the tear was in his e’e):
    ‘I see nae fault in this young man;
      Sae loose his bands, and set him free.

    XII

    ‘Tak’ back your love now, Lady Elspat,
      And my best blessing you baith upon!
    For gin he be your first true love,
      He is my eldest sister’s son.

    XIII

    ‘There is a steed within my stable
      Cost me baith gowd and white monèy;
    Ye’se get as mickle o’ my free land
      As he’ll ride about in a summer’s day.’

FOOTNOTES:

[532] brent = straight, smooth.

[533] biggit = built.

[534] bandit = bound.

[535] aiken = oaken.




_87. Jamie Douglas_


    I

    I was a lady of high renown
      As ever lived in the north countrie;
    I was a lady of high renown
      When the Earl Douglas luvèd me.

    II

    And when we came through Glasgow toun,
      We were a comely sight to see;
    My gude lord in the black velvèt,
      And I mysel’ in cramasie[536].

    III

    But when we came to Douglas toun,
      We were a fine sight to behold:
    My gude lord in the cramasie
      And I mysel’ in the shining gold.

    IV

    And when that my auld[537] son was born
      And set upon his nurse’s knee,
    I was happy a woman as e’er was born,
      And my gude lord he luvèd me.

    V

    But O an my young son was born
      And set upon his nurse’s knee
    And I mysel’ were dead and gane,
      For a maid again I’ll never be!

    VI

    There cam’ a man into this house,
      And Jamie Lockhart was his name,
    And it was told to my gude lord
      That I was owre in love wi’ him.

    VII

    O wae be unto thee, Blackwòod,
      And ae an ill death may ye dee!
    For ye was the first and foremost man
      That parted my gude lord and me.

    VIII

    I sent a word to my gude lord,
      ‘Come down, and sit, and dine wi’ me,
    And I’ll set thee on a chair of gowd,
      And a siller towel on thy knee.’--

    IX

    ‘When cockle-shells turn silver bells,
      And mussell grow on every tree,
    When frost and snow turns fire to burn,
      Then I’ll sit down and dine wi’ thee.’

    X

    When that my father he had word
      That my gude lord had forsaken me,
    He sent a fifty brisk dragoons
      To fetch me home to my ain countrie.

    XI

    ‘Fare thee well, my Jamie Douglas!
      Fare thee well, ever dear to me!
    But O, an my young babe were born
      And set upon some nourice’ knee!

    XII

    ‘And fare thee well, my pretty palace!
      And fare ye well, my children three!
    God grant your father grace to be kind,
      More kind to you than he was to me!’

    XIII

    Then slowly, slowly rase I up,
      But quickly, quickly he cam’ doun,
    And when he saw me sit in my coach,
      He made his drums and trumpets sound.

    XIV

    When we cam’ in by Edinbro’ town,
      My father and mother they met me
    Wi’ trumpets soundin’ on every side;
      But it was nae music at a’ to me.

    XV

    ‘Now hau’d your comfort my father dear,
      And mother your weeping let abee!
    I’ll never lye in another man’s arms
      Since my dear lord has forsaken me.’

    XVI

    It’s very true, and it’s aft-times said,
      The hawk will flie far far frae her nest:
    And a’ the warld may plainly see
      They are far frae me that I luve best.


    _Lament of Barbara, Marchioness of Douglas_

    XVII

    O waly, waly, up the bank,
      And waly, waly, doun the brae,
    And waly, waly, yon burn-side,
      Where I and my Love wont to gae!

    XVIII

    I lean’d my back unto an aik,
      I thocht it was a trustie tree;
    But first it bow’d and syne it brak--
      Sae my true love did lichtlie[538] me.

    XIX

    O waly, waly, gin love be bonnie
      A little time while it is new!
    But when ’tis auld it waxeth cauld,
      And fades awa’ like morning dew.

    XX

    O wherefore should I busk my heid,
      Or wherefore should I kame my hair?
    For my true Love has me forsook,
      And says he’ll never lo’e me mair.

    XXI

    Now Arthur’s Seat sall be my bed,
      The sheets sall ne’er be ’filed by me;
    Saint Anton’s well sall be my drink;
      Since my true Love has forsaken me.

    XXII

    Marti’mas wind, when wilt thou blaw,
      And shake the green leaves aff the tree?
    O gentle Death, when wilt thou come?
      For of my life I am wearìe.

    XXIII

    ’Tis not the frost, that freezes fell,
      Nor blawing snaw’s inclemencie,
    ’Tis not sic cauld that makes me cry;
      But my Love’s heart grown cauld to me.

    XXIV

    When we cam’ in by Glasgow toun,
      We were a comely sicht to see;
    My Love was clad in the black velvèt,
      And I mysel’ in cramasie.

    XXV

    But had I wist, before I kist,
      That love had been sae ill to win,
    I had lock’d my heart in a case o’ gowd,
      And pinn’d it wi’ a siller pin.

    XXVI

    And O! if my young babe were born,
      And set upon the nurse’s knee;
    And I mysel’ were dead and gane,
      And the green grass growing over me!

FOOTNOTES:

[536] cramasie = crimson.

[537] auld = eldest.

[538] lichtlie = slight, treat with disrespect.




_88. Katharine Johnstone_


    I

    There was a may, and a weel-far’d[539] may,
      Lived high up in yon glen;
    Her name was Katharine Johnstone
      She was courted by mony men.

    II

    Doun cam’ the Laird o’ Lamington
      Out frae the North Countrie,
    All for to court this pretty may,
      Her bridegroom for to be.

    III

    He tell’d na her father, he tell’d na her mither,
      He tell’d na ane o’ her kin,
    But he tell’d the bonnie lass hersel’
      An’ her consent did win.

    IV

    But up then cam’ Lord Faughanwood
      Out frae the English Border,
    And for to court this pretty may,
      A’ mounted in good order.

    V

    He’s tell’d her father, he’s tell’d her mither,
      And a’ the lave[540] o’ her kin;
    But he’s tell’d na the bonny lass hersel’
      Till on her weddin’-e’en.

    VI

    She’s sent unto her first fere[541] love,
      Gin he would come to see,
    And Lamington has sent back word
      Weel answer’d should she be.

    VII

    Then he has sent a messenger
      Right quietly thro’ the land,
    For four-and-twenty armèd men
      To ride at his command.

    VIII

    The bridegroom from a high window
      Beheld baith dale and down,
    And there he spied her first fere love
      Cam’ riding to the toun.

    IX

    She scoffèd and she scornèd him
      Upon her weddin’-day,
    And said it was the Fairy Court
      He saw in sic array!

    X

    When a’ were at the dinner set,
      Drinking the blude-red wine,
    In cam’ the Laird o’ Lamington
      The bridegroom ’should hae been.

    XI

    ‘O come ye here to fight, young lord?
      Or come ye here to play?
    Or come ye here to drink good wine
      Upon the weddin’-day?’--

    XII

    ‘I come na here to fight,’ he said
      ‘I come na here to play;
    I’ll but lead a dance wi’ the bonny bride,
      And mount and go my way.’

    XIII

    There was a glass of the blude-red wine
      Was fill’d them up between,
    But aye she drank to Lamington,
      Wha her true love had been.

    XIV

    He’s ta’en her by the milk-white hand,
      And by the grass-green sleeve;
    He’s mounted her high behind himsel’,
      At her kin he’s spier’d[542] nae leave.

    XV

    There were four-and-twenty bonny boys
      A’ clad in the Johnstone grey,
    They swore they would tak’ the bride again
      By the strong hand, if they may.

    XVI

    It’s up, it’s up the Cowden bank,
      It’s down the Cowden brae;
    The bride she gar’d the trumpet sound
      ‘It is a weel-won play!’

    XVII

    The blude ran down by Cowden bank
      And down by Cowden brae,
    But aye she gar’d the trumpet sound
      ‘It’s a’ fair play!’

    XVIII

    ‘My blessing on your heart, sweet thing!
      Wae to your wilfu’ will!
    Sae mony a gallant gentleman’s blood
      This day as ye’ve gar’d spill.’

    XIX

    But a’ you lords of fair England,
      If you be English born,
    Come never to Scotland to seek a wife
      Or else ye’ll get the scorn.

    XX

    They’ll haik ye up[543], and settle ye by[544],
      Until your weddin’-day;
    Then gie ye frogs instead o’ fish,
      And do ye foul, foul play.

FOOTNOTES:

[539] weel-far’d = well-favoured.

[540] lave = rest.

[541] fere = mate.

[542] spier’d = asked.

[543] haik ye up = hold you in suspense.

[544] settle ye by = keep you waiting aside.




_89. Johnie Armstrong_


    I

    Sum speiks of lords, sum speiks of lairds,
      And sick lyke men of hie degrie;
    Of a gentleman I sing a sang,
      Sum tyme called Laird of Gilnockie.

    II

    The King he wrytes a luving letter,
      With his ain hand sae tenderly,
    And he hath sent it to Johnie Armstrang,
      To cum and speik with him speedily.

    III

    The Eliots and Armstrangs did convene;
      They were a gallant cumpanie--
    ‘We’ll ride and meit our lawful King,
      And bring him safe to Gilnockie.’

    IV

    ‘Make kinnen[545] and capon ready, then,
      And venison in great plentie;
    We’ll wellcum here our royal King;
      I hope he’ll dine at Gilnockie!’--

    V

    They ran their horse on the Langholme howm,
      And brak their spears wi’ mickle main;
    The ladies lukit frae their loft windows--
      ‘God bring our men weel hame agen!’

    VI

    When Johnie cam’ before the King,
      Wi’ a’ his men sae brave to see,
    The King he movit his bonnet to him;
      He ween’d he was King as weel as he.

    VII

    ‘May I find grace, my sovereign liege,
      Grace for my loyal men and me?
    For my name it is Johnie Armstrang,
      And a subject of yours, my liege,’ said he.

    VIII

    ‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
      Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
    I grantit never a traitor’s life,
      And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

    IX

    ‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
      And a bonny gift I’ll gie to thee:
    Full four-and-twenty milk-white steids,
      Were a’ foal’d in ae yeir to me.

    X

    ‘I’ll gie thee a’ these milk-white steids,
      That prance and nicker[546] at a speir;
    And as mickle gude Inglish gilt[547],
      As four o’ their braid backs dow[548] bear.’--

    XI

    ‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
      Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
    I grantit never a traitor’s life,
      And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee!’--

    XII

    ‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
      And a bonny gift I’ll gie to thee:
    Gude four-and-twenty ganging[549] mills,
      That gang thro’ a’ the yeir to me.

    XIII

    ‘These four-and-twenty mills complete
      Sall gang for thee thro’ a’ the yeir;
    And as mickle of gude reid wheit,
      As a’ thair happers[550] dow to bear.’--

    XIV

    ‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
      Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
    I grantit never a traitor’s life,
      And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

    XV

    ‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
      And a great great gift I’ll gie to thee:
    Bauld four-and-twenty sisters’ sons,
      Sall for thee fetch, tho’ a’ should flee!’--

    XVI

    ‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
      Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
    I grantit never a traitor’s life,
      And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

    XVII

    ‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
      And a brave gift I’ll gie to thee:
    All between heir and Newcastle town
      Sall pay their yeirly rent to thee.’--

    XVIII

    ‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
      Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
    I grantit never a traitor’s life,
      And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

    XIX

    ‘Ye lied, ye lied, now, King,’ he says,
      ‘Altho’ a King and Prince ye be!
    For I’ve luved naething in my life,
      I weel dare say it, but honesty:

    XX

    ‘Save a fat horse, and a fair woman,
      Twa bonny dogs to kill a deir;
    But England suld have found me meal and mault,
      Gif I had lived this hundred yeir!

    XXI

    ‘She suld have found me meal and mault,
      And beef and mutton in a’ plentie;
    But never a Scots wyfe could have said
      That e’er I skaith’d[551] her a puir flee.

    XXII

    ‘To seik het water beneith cauld ice,
      Surely it is a greit folie--
    I have asked grace at a graceless face,
      But there is nane for my men and me!

    XXIII

    ‘But had I kenn’d ere I cam’ frae hame,
      How thou unkind wadst been to me!
    I wad have keepit the Border side,
      In spite of all thy force and thee.

    XXIV

    ‘Wist England’s King that I was ta’en,
      O gin a blythe man he wad be!
    For anes I slew his sister’s son,
      And on his breist bane brak a trie.’

    XXV

    John wore a girdle about his middle,
      Imbroider’d owre wi’ burning gold,
    Bespangled wi’ the same metal,
      Maist beautiful was to behold.

    XXVI

    There hung nine targats[552] at Johnie’s hat,
      And ilk ane worth three hundred pound--
    ‘What wants that knave that a King suld have,
      But the sword of honour and the crown?’

    XXVII

    ‘O where got thou these targats, Johnie,
      That blink sae brawlie[553] abune thy brie[554]?’--
    ‘I gat them in the field fechting,
      Where, cruel King, thou durst not be.

    XXVIII

    ‘Had I my horse, and harness gude,
      And riding as I wont to be,
    It suld have been tauld this hundred yeir,
      The meeting of my King and me!

    XXIX

    ‘God be with thee, Kirsty, my brother,
      Lang live thou Laird of Mangertoun!
    Lang mayst thou live on the Border syde,
      Ere thou see thy brother ride up and doun!

    XXX

    ‘And God be with thee, Kirsty, my son,
      Where thou sits on thy nurse’s knee!
    But an thou live this hundred yeir,
      Thy father’s better thou’lt never be.

    XXXI

    ‘Farewell! my bonny Gilnock hall,
      Where on Esk side thou standest stout!
    Gif I had lived but seven yeirs mair,
      I wad hae gilt thee round about.’

    XXXII

    John murder’d was at Carlinrigg,
      And all his gallant companie;
    But Scotland’s heart was ne’er sae wae,
      To see sae mony brave men die--

    XXXIII

    Because they saved their country deir
      Frae Englishmen! Nane were sa bauld,
    Whyle Johnie lived on the Border syde,
      Nane of them durst cum neir his hauld.

FOOTNOTES:

[545] kinnen = rabbits.

[546] nicker = neigh.

[547] gilt = gold.

[548] dow = are able to.

[549] ganging = going.

[550] happers = mill-hoppers.

[551] skaith’d = hurt, wronged.

[552] targats = round ornaments.

[553] blink sae brawlie = glance so bravely.

[554] brie = brow.




_90. Clyde Water_


    I

    Willie stands in his stable door,
      And clapping at his steed,
    And over his white fingers
      His nose began to bleed.

    II

    ‘Gie corn unto my horse, mither,
      Gie meat unto my man;
    For I maun gang to Margaret’s bour
      Before the nicht comes on.’--

    III

    ‘O bide at hame this nicht, Willie,
      This ae bare nicht wi’ me:
    The bestan bed in a’ my house
      Sall be well made to thee.

    IV

    ‘O bide at hame this nicht, Willie,
      This ae bare nicht wi’ me:
    The bestan bird in a’ the roost
      At your supper, son, sall be.’--

    V

    ‘A’ your beds and a’ your roosts
      I value not a pin;
    But I sall gae to my love’s gates
      This nicht, gif I can win.’--

    VI

    ‘O stay at home, my son Willie,
      The wind blaws cauld an’ sour;
    The nicht will be baith mirk and late
      Before ye reach her bour.’--

    VII

    ‘O though the nicht were ever sae dark,
      Or the wind blew never sae cauld,
    I will be in my Margaret’s bour
      Before twa hours be tald.’--

    VIII

    ‘O an ye gang to Margaret’s bour
      Sae sair against my will,
    I’ the deepest pot o’ Clyde’s water
      My malison[555] ye’se feel.’

    IX

    As he rade owre yon high high hill,
      And doun yon dowie[556] den,
    The roaring that was in Clyde’s water
      Wad fley’d[557] five hundred men.

    X

    His heart was warm, his pride was up,
      Sweet Willie kentna fear;
    But yet his mither’s malison
      Aye soundit in his ear.

    XI

    ‘O spare, O spare me, Clyde’s water:
      Your stream rins wondrous strang:
    Mak’ me your wrack as I come back,
      But spare me as I gang!’

    XII

    Then he rade in, and further in,
      And he swam to an’ fro,
    Until he’s grippit a hazel bush
      That brung him to the brow.

    XIII

    Then he is on to Margaret’s bour,
      And tirlèd at the pin;
    But doors were steek’d and windows barr’d,
      And nane wad let him in.

    XIV

    ‘O open the door to me, Marg’ret!
      O open and let me in!
    For my boots are fu’ o’ Clyde’s water
      And the rain rins owre my chin.’--

    XV

    ‘I darena open the door to you,
      Nor darena let you in;
    For my mither she is fast asleep,
      And I maun mak’ nae din.’--

    XVI

    ‘O hae ye ne’er a stable?’ he says,
      ‘Or hae ye ne’er a barn?
    Or hae ye ne’er a wild-goose house
      Where I might rest till morn?’--

    XVII

    ‘My barn it is fu’ o’ corn,’ she says,
      ‘My stable is fu’ o’ hay;
    My house is fu’ o’ merry young men;
      They winna remove till day.’--

    XVIII

    ‘O fare ye weel then, May Marg’ret,
      Sin’ better may na be!
    I’ve gotten my mither’s malison
      This nicht, coming to thee.’

    XIX

    He’s mounted on his coal-black steed,
      --O but his heart was wae!
    But ere he came to Clyde’s water
      ’Twas half up owre the brae.

    XX

    ‘An hey, Willie! an hoa, Willie!
      Winna ye turn agen?’
    But aye the louder that she cried
      He rade agenst the win’.

    XXI

    As he rade owre yon high high hill,
      And doun yon dowie den,
    The roaring that was in Clyde’s water
      Wad fley’d a thousand men.

    XXII

    Then he rade in, and farther in,
      Till he cam’ to the chine;
    The rushing that was in Clyde’s water
      Took Willie’s riding-cane.

    XXIII

    He lean’d him owre his saddle-bow
      To catch the rod by force;
    The rushing that was in Clyde’s water
      Took Willie frae his horse.

    XXIV

    ‘O how can I turn my horse’s head?
      How can I learn to sowm[558]?
    I’ve gotten my mither’s malison,
      And it’s here that I maun drown!’

    XXV

    O he swam high, and he swam low,
      And he swam to and fro,
    But he couldna spy the hazel-bush
      Wad bring him to the brow.

    XXVI

    He’s sunk and he never rase agen
      Into the pot sae deep ...
    And up it waken’d May Margaret
      Out o’ her drowsie sleep.

    XXVII

    ‘Come hither, come here, my mither dear,
      Read me this dreary dream;
    I dream’d my Willie was at our gates,
      And nane wad let him in.’--

    XXVIII

    ‘Lie still, lie still now, my Meggie:
      Lie still and tak’ your rest;
    Sin’ your true-love was at your gates
      It’s but twa quarters past.’--

    XXIX

    Nimbly, nimbly rase she up,
      And nimbly put she on;
    And the higher that the lady cried,
      The louder blew the win’.

    XXX

    The firstan step that she stept in,
      She steppit to the queet[559]:
    ‘Ohon, alas!’ said that lady,
      ‘This water’s wondrous deep.’

    XXXI

    The neistan step that she stept in,
      She waded to the knee;
    Says she, ‘I cou’d wade farther in,
      If I my love cou’d see.’

    XXXII

    The neistan step that she wade in,
      She waded to the chin;
    The deepest pot in Clyde’s water
      She got sweet Willie in.

    XXXIII

    ‘Ye’ve had a cruel mither, Willie!
      And I have had anither;
    But we sall sleep in Clyde’s water
      Like sister an’ like brither.’

FOOTNOTES:

[555] malison = curse.

[556] dowie = dismal, gloomy.

[557] fley’d = frightened.

[558] sowm = swim.

[559] queet = ankle.




_91. Young Benjie_


    I

    Of a’ the maids o’ fair Scotland,
      The fairest was Marjorie;
    And young Benjie was her ae true love,
      And a dear true-love was he.

    II

    And wow! but they were lovers dear,
      And loved fu’ constantlie;
    But ay the mair when they fell out,
      The sairer was their plea[560].

    III

    And they hae quarrell’d on a day,
      Till Marjorie’s heart grew wae,
    And she said she’d chuse another luve,
      And let young Benjie gae.

    IV

    And he was stout, and proud-heartèd,
      And thought o’t bitterlie,
    And he’s gaen by the wan moon-light,
      To meet his Marjorie.

    V

    ‘O open, open, my true love!
      O open, and let me in!’--
    ‘I dare na open, young Benjie,
      My three brothers are within.’--

    VI

    ‘Ye lied, ye lied, my bonny burd,
      Sae loud’s I hear ye lie;
    As I came by the Lowden banks,
      They bade gude e’en to me.

    VII

    ‘But fare ye weel, my ae fause love,
      That I hae loved sae lang!
    It sets[561] ye chuse another love,
      And let young Benjie gang.’

    VIII

    Then Marjorie turned her round about,
      The tear blinding her e’e,
    ‘I darena, darena let thee in,
      But I’ll come down to thee.’

    IX

    Then saft she smiled, and said to him,
      ‘O what ill hae I done?’
    He took her in his armis twa,
      And threw her o’er the linn[562].

    X

    The stream was strang, the maid was stout,
      And laith laith to be dang[563];
    But, ere she wan the Lowden banks,
      Her fair colour was wan.

    XI

    Then up bespak her eldest brother,
      ‘O see na ye what I see?’
    And out then spak her second brother,
      ‘It’s our sister Marjorie!’

    XII

    Out then spak her eldest brother,
      ‘O how shall we her ken?’
    And out then spak her youngest brother,
      ‘There’s a honey mark on her chin.’

    XIII

    Then they’ve ta’en up the comely corpse,
      And laid it on the grund:
    ‘O wha has killed our ae sister,
      And how can he be found?

    XIV

    ‘The night it is her low lykewake[564],
      The morn her burial day,
    And we maun watch at mirk midnight,
      And hear what she will say.’

    XV

    Wi’ doors ajar, and candle-light,
      And torches burning clear,
    The streikit[565] corpse, till still midnight,
      They waked, but naething hear.

    XVI

    About the middle o’ the night,
      The cocks began to craw,
    And at the dead hour o’ the night,
      The corpse began to thraw[566].

    XVII

    ‘O wha has done the wrang, sister,
      Or dared the deadly sin?
    Wha was sae stout, and feared nae dout,
     As thraw ye o’er the linn?’--

    XVIII

    ‘Young Benjie was the first ae man,
      I laid my love upon;
    He was sae stout and proud-heartèd,
      He threw me o’er the linn.’--

    XIX

    ‘Sall we young Benjie head, sister,
      Sall we young Benjie hang,
    Or sall we pike out his twa gray e’en,
     And punish him ere he gang?’--

    XX

    ‘Ye mauna Benjie head, brothers,
      Ye mauna Benjie hang,
    But ye maun pike out his twa gray e’en,
      And punish him ere he gang.

    XXI

    ‘Tie a green gravat[567] round his neck,
      And lead him out and in,
    And the best ae servant about your house,
      To wait young Benjie on.

    XXII

    ‘And ay, at every seven years’ end,
      Ye’ll tak him to the linn;
    For that’s the penance he maun drie[568],
      To scug[569] his deadly sin.’

FOOTNOTES:

[560] plea = quarrel.

[561] sets = befits.

[562] linn = stream.

[563] dang = overcome.

[564] lykewake = corpse-watching.

[565] streikit = stretched out.

[566] thraw = twist, writhe.

[567] gravat = cravat, collar.

[568] drie = endure.

[569] scug = screen, expiate.




_92. Annan Water_


    I

    Annan water’s wading deep,
      And my love Annie’s wondrous bonny;
    And I am laith she suld weet her feet,
      Because I love her best of ony.

    II

    ‘Gar saddle me the bonny black,
      Gar saddle sune, and make him ready;
    For I will down the Gatehope-Slack,
      And all to see my bonny ladye.’

    III

    He has loupen on the bonny black,
      He stirr’d him wi’ the spur right sairly;
    But, or he wan the Gatehope-Slack,
      I think the steed was wae and weary.

    IV

    He has loupen on the bonny grey,
      He rade the right gate[570] and the ready;
    I trow he would neither stint nor stay,
      For he was seeking his bonny ladye.

    V

    O he has ridden o’er field and fell,
      Through muir and moss, and mony a mire:
    His spurs o’ steel were sair to bide,
      And frae her fore-feet flew the fire.

    VI

    ‘Now, bonny grey, now play your part!
      Gin ye be the steed that wins my deary,
    Wi’ corn and hay ye’se be fed for aye,
      And never spur sall make you wearie.’

    VII

    The grey was a mare, and a right good mare;
      But when she wan the Annan water,
    She couldna hae ridden a furlong mair,
      Had a thousand merks been wadded[571] at her.

    VIII

    ‘O boatman, boatman, put off your boat!
      Put off your boat for gowden money!
    I cross the drumly[572] stream the night,
      Or never mair I see my honey.’--

    IX

    ‘O I was sworn sae late yestreen,
      And not by ae aith, but by many;
    And for a’ the gowd in fair Scotland,
      I dare na take ye through to Annie.’--

    X

    The side was stey[573], and the bottom deep,
      Frae bank to brae the water pouring;
    And the bonny grey mare did sweat for fear,
      For she heard the water-kelpy[574] roaring.

    XI

    O he has pu’d aff his dapperpy[575] coat,
      The silver buttons glancèd bonny;
    The waistcoat bursted aff his breast,
      He was sae full of melancholy.

    XII

    He has ta’en the ford at that stream tail;
      I wot he swam both strong and steady,
    But the stream was broad, and his strength did fail,
      And he never saw his bonny ladye!

    XIII

    O wae betide the frush[576] saugh[577] wand!
      And wae betide the bush of brier!
    It brake into my true love’s hand,
      When his strength did fail, and his limbs did tire.

    XIV

    ‘And wae betide ye, Annan Water,
      This night that ye are a drumlie river!
    For over thee I’ll build a bridge,
      That ye never more true love may sever.’--

FOOTNOTES:

[570] gate = way.

[571] wadded = wagered.

[572] drumly = turbid.

[573] stey = steep.

[574] water-kelpy = water-sprite.

[575] dapperpy = diapered.

[576] frush = brittle.

[577] saugh = willow.




_93. Rare Willy drowned in Yarrow_


    I

    ‘Willy’s rare, and Willy’s fair,
      And Willy’s wondrous bonny;
    And Willy heght[578] to marry me,
      Gin e’er he marryd ony.

    II

    ‘Yestreen I made my bed fu’ braid,
      The night I’ll make it narrow,
    For a’ the live-long winter’s night
      I lie twin’d[579] of my marrow[580].

    III

    ‘O came you by yon water-side?
      Pu’d you the rose or lilly?
    Or came you by yon meadow green?
      Or saw you my sweet Willy?’

    IV

    She sought him east, she sought him west,
      She sought him braid and narrow;
    Sine, in the clifting[581] of a craig,
      She found him drown’d in Yarrow.

FOOTNOTES:

[578] heght = promised.

[579] twin’d = deprived.

[580] marrow = mate.

[581] clifting = cleft.




_94. The Duke of Gordon’s Daughter_


    I

    The Duke of Gordon had three daughters,
      Elizabeth, Marg’ret and Jean;
    They would not stay in bonny Castle Gordon,
      But they went to bonny Aberdeen.

    II

    They had not been in bonny Aberdeen
      A twelvemonth and a day,
    Lady Jean fell in love with Captain Ogilvie
      And awa’ with him she would gae.

    III

    Word came to the Duke of Gordon,
      In the chamber where he lay,
    Lady Jean was in love with Captain Ogilvie,
      And from him she would not stay.

    IV

    ‘Go saddle to me the black horse,
      And you’ll ride on the grey,
    And I will gang to bonny Aberdeen
      Forthwith to bring her away.’

    V

    They were not a mile from Aberdeen,
      A mile but only one,
    Till he met with his two daughters,
      But awa’ was Lady Jean.

    VI

    ‘Where is your sister, maidens?
      Where is your sister now?
    Say, what is become of your sister,
      That she is not walking with you?’

    VII

    ‘O pardon us, honour’d father,
      O pardon us!’ they did say;
    ‘Lady Jean is wed with Captain Ogilvie,
      And from him she will not stay.’

    VIII

    [Then an angry man the Duke rade on]
      Till he came to bonny Aberdeen,
    And there did he see brave Captain Ogilvie
      A-training of his men on the green.

    IX

    ‘O woe be to thee, thou Captain Ogilvie!
      And an ill death thou shalt dee.
    For taking to thee my daughter Jean
      High hangit shalt thou be.’

    X

    The Duke has written a broad letter,
      To the King [with his own han’;]
    It was to hang Captain Ogilvie
      If ever he hang’d a man.

    XI

    ‘I will not hang Captain Ogilvie
      For no lord that I see;
    But I’ll gar him put off the broad scarlèt,
      And put on the single liver[582]ỳ.’

    XII

    Now word came to Captain Ogilvie,
      In the chamber where he lay,
    To cast off the gold lace and scarlet,
      And put on the single liverỳ.

    XIII

    ‘If this be for bonny Jeanie Gordon,
      This penance I can take wi’;
    If this be for dear Jeanie Gordon,
      All this and mair will I dree[583].’

    XIV

    Lady Jeanie had not been married
      A year but only three,
    Till she had a babe upon every arm
      And another upon her knee.

    XV

    ‘O but I’m weary of wand’rin’!
      O but my fortune is bad!
    It sets not the Duke of Gordon’s daughter
      To follow a soldier lad.

    XVI

    ‘O but I’m weary, weary wand’rin’!
      O but I think it lang!
    It sets not the Duke of Gordon’s daughter
      To follow a single man.

    XVII

    ‘O hold thy tongue, Jeanie Gordon,
      O hold thy tongue, my lamb!
    For once I was a noble captain,
      Now for thy sake a single man.’

    XVIII

    But when they came to the Highland hills,
      Cold was the frost and snow;
    Lady Jean’s shoes they were all torn,
      No farther could she go.

    XIX

    ‘Now woe to the hills and the mountains!
      Woe to the wind and the rain!
    My feet is sair wi’ going barefoot:
      No farther can I gang.

    XX

    ‘O were I in the glens o’ Foudlen,
      Where hunting I have been,
    I would go to bonny Castle Gordon,
      There I’d get hose and sheen[584]!’

    XXI

    When they came to bonny Castle Gordon,
      And standing on the green,
    The porter out with loud loud shout,
      ‘O here comes our Lady Jean!’--

    XXII

    ‘You are welcome, bonny Jeanie Gordon,
      You are dear welcome to me;
    You are welcome, dear Jeanie Gordon,
      But awa’ with your Ogilvie!’

    XXIII

    Over-seas now went the Captain,
      As a soldier under command;
    But a message soon follow’d after,
      To come home for to heir his land.

    XXIV

    ‘O what does this mean?’ says the Captain;
      ‘Where’s my brother’s children three?’--
    ‘They are a’ o’ them dead and buried:
      Come home, pretty Captain Ogilvie!’

    XXV

    ‘Then hoist up your sail,’ says the Captain,
      ‘And we’ll hie back owre the sea;
    And I’ll gae to bonny Castle Gordon,
      There my dear Jeanie to see.’

    XXVI

    He came to bonny Castle Gordon,
      And upon the green stood he:
    The porter out with a loud loud shout,
      ‘Here comes our Captain Ogilvie!’--

    XXVII

    ‘You’re welcome, pretty Captain Ogilvie,
      Your fortune’s advanced, I hear;
    No stranger can come to my castle
      That I do love so dear.’--

    XXVIII

    ‘Put up your hat, Duke of Gordon;
      Let it fa’ not from your head.
    It never set the noble Duke of Gordon
      To bow to a single soldier lad.

    XXIX

    ‘Sir, the last time I was at your Castle,
      You would not let me in;
    Now I’m come for my wife and children,
      No friendship else I claim.’

    XXX

    Down the stair Lady Jean came tripping,
      With the saut tear in her e’e;
    She had a babe in every arm,
      And another at her knee.

    XXXI

    The Captain took her straight in his arms,
      --O a happy man was he!--
    Saying, ‘Welcome, bonny Jeanie Gordon,
      My Countess o’ Cumberland to be!’

FOOTNOTES:

[582] single livery = private’s uniform.

[583] dree = endure.

[584] sheen = shoes.




_95. The Bonny Earl of Murray_


    I

    Ye Highlands and ye Lawlands,
      O where hae ye been?
    They hae slain the Earl of Murray,
      And hae laid him on the green.

    II

    Now wae be to thee, Huntley!
      And whairfore did ye sae!
    I bade you bring him wi’ you,
      But forbade you him to slay.

    III

    He was a braw gallant,
      And he rid at the ring;
    And the bonny Earl of Murray,
      O he might hae been a king!

    IV

    He was a braw gallant,
      And he play’d at the ba’;
    And the bonny Earl of Murray
      Was the flower amang them a’!

    V

    He was a braw gallant,
      And he play’d at the gluve;
    And the bonny Earl of Murray,
      O he was the Queen’s luve!

    VI

    O lang will his Lady
      Look owre the Castle Downe,
    Ere she see the Earl of Murray
      Come sounding through the town!




_96. Bonny George Campbell_


    I

    Hie upon Hielands,
      And laigh[585] upon Tay,
    Bonny George Campbell
      Rade out on a day:
    Saddled and bridled,
      Sae gallant to see,
    Hame cam’ his gude horse,
      But never cam’ he.

    II

    Down ran his auld mither,
      Greetin[586]’ fu’ sair;
    Out ran his bonny bride,
      Reaving[587] her hair;
    ‘My meadow lies green,
      And my corn is unshorn,
    My barn is to bigg[588],
      And my babe is unborn.’

    III

    Saddled and bridled
      And booted rade he;
    A plume in his helmet,
      A sword at his knee;
    But toom[589] cam’ his saddle
      A’ bluidy to see,
    O hame cam’ his gude horse,
      But never cam’ he!

FOOTNOTES:

[585] laigh = low.

[586] greeting = crying, lamenting.

[587] Reaving = tearing.

[588] bigg = build.

[589] toom = empty.




BOOK IV




_97. Judas_


    I

    Hit wes upon a Scere-thorsday[590]
      that ure loverd[591] aros;
    Ful milde were the wordès
      he spec to Judas.

    II

    ‘Judas, thou most to Jurselem,
      oure mete for to bugge[592];
    Thritti platen[593] of selver
      thou bere up othi rugge[594].

    III

    ‘Thou comest fer ithe brode stret,
      fer ithe brode strete,
    Summe of thine tunesmen[595]
      ther thou meist i-mete.’

    IV

    Imette[596] wid is soster,
      the swikele[597] wimon:
    ‘Judas, thou were wrthè[598]
      me stende the wid ston[599],
    For the false prophete
      that tou bilevest upon.’

    V

    ‘Be stille, leve[600] soster,
      thin herte the to-breke!
    Wiste min loverd Crist,
      ful wel he wolde be wreke[601].’

FOOTNOTES:

[590] Scere-thorsday = Thursday before Easter.

[591] ure loverd = our lord.

[592] bugge = buy.

[593] platen = plates, i. e. coins, pieces.

[594] rugge = ridge, back.

[595] tunesmen = townsmen.

[596] Imette = being met.

[597] swikele = treacherous.

[598] wrthè = worthy.

[599] me stende, &c. = men stoned thee.

[600] leve = dear.

[601] wreke = avenged.




_98. St. Stephen and King Herod_


    I

    Saint Stephen was a clerk
      In King Herod’s hall,
    And servèd him of bread and cloth
      As every king befall.

    II

    Stephen out of kitchen came
      With boar’s head on hand,
    He saw a star was fair and bright
      Over Bethlehem stand.

    III

    He cast adown the boar’s head
      And went into the hall;
    ‘I forsake thee, Herod,
      And thy workès all.

    IV

    ‘I forsake thee, King Herod,
      And thy workès all,
    There is a child in Bethlehem born
      Is better than we all.’--

    V

    ‘What aileth thee, Stephen?
      What is thee befall?
    Lacketh thee either meat or drink
      In King Herod’s hall?’--

    VI

    ‘Lacketh me neither meat ne drink
      In King Herod’s hall;
    There is a child in Bethlehem born
      Is better than we all.’--

    VII

    ‘What aileth thee, Stephen?
      Art wode[602] or ’ginnest to brede[603]?
    Lacketh thee either gold or fee,
      Or any rich weed[604]?’--

    VIII

    ‘Lacketh me neither gold ne fee
      Ne none rich weed;
    There is a child in Bethlehem born
      Shall helpen us at our need.’--

    IX

    ‘That is all so sooth, Stephen,
      All so sooth, I-wys,
    As this capon crowè shall
      That li’th here in my dish.’

    X

    That word was not so soon said,
      That word in that hall,
    The capon crew _Christus natus est_
      Among the lordès all.

    XI

    ‘Risit[605] up, my tormentors,
      By two and all by one,
    And leadit Stephen out of this town,
      And stonit him with stone.’

    XII

    Tooken they Stephen
      And stoned him in the way;
    And therefore is his even
      On Christe’s own day.

FOOTNOTES:

[602] wode = mad.

[603] brede = become (mad).

[604] weed = clothing.

[605] Risit, leadit, stonit = imperatives.




_99. The Maid and the Palmer_


    I

    The maid she went to the well to washe,
    Dew fell off her lily-white fleshe.

    II

    White she washte, and white she rong[606],
    White she hang’d on the hazel wand.

    III

    There came an old palmer by the way,
    Says, ‘God speed thee well, thou fair may.’

    IV

    ‘Has tow either cup or can,
    To give an old palmer drink therein?’

    V

    Says, ‘I have neither cup nor can,
    To give an old palmer drink therein.’

    VI

    ‘But an thy leman[607] come from Rome,
    Cups and cans thou wilt find soon.’

    VII

    She swore by God and good Saint John
    Leman she had never none.

    VIII

    Says, ‘Peace, fair maid, you are forsworne,
    Ninè children you have borne.

    IX

    ‘Three were buryed under thy bed’s head,
    Other three under thy brewing lead[608].

    X

    ‘Other three play on yon greene;
    Count, maid, and there be nine.’--

    XI

    ‘But I hope you are the good old man
    That all the world beleeves upon.

    XII

    ‘Old palmer, I pray thee,
    Penaunce that thou wilt give to me.’--

    XIII

    ‘Penaunce I can give thee none
    But seven year to be a stepping-stone.

    XIV

    Other seven a clapper in a bell,
    Other seven to lead an ape in hell.

    XV

    When thou hast thy penaunce done,
    Then thou’st come a mayden home.’

FOOTNOTES:

[606] rong = wrung.

[607] leman = lover.

[608] lead = vat.




_100. The Falcon_


    I

    _Lully, lulley! lully, lulley!
    The faucon hath borne my make[609] away!_

    II

    He bare him up, he bare him down,
    He bare him into an orchard brown.

    III

    In that orchard there was an halle,
    That was hangèd with purple and pall[610].

    IV

    And in that hall there was a bed,
    It was hangèd with gold sa red.

    V

    And in that bed there li’th a knight,
    His woundès bleeding day and night.

    VI

    At that bed’s foot there li’th a hound,
    Licking the blood as it runs down.

    VII

    By that bed-side kneeleth a may[611],
    And she weepeth both night and day.

    VIII

    And at that bed’s head standeth a stone,
    _Corpus Christi_ written thereon.

    IX

    _Lully, lulley! lully, lulley!
    The faucon hath borne my make away._

FOOTNOTES:

[609] make = mate.

[610] pall = fine cloth.

[611] may = maiden.




_101. The Cherry-Tree Carol_


    _i_

    I

    Joseph was an old man,
      And an old man was he,
    When he wedded Mary
      In the land of Galilee.

    II

    Joseph and Mary walk’d
      Through an orchard good,
    Where was cherries and berries
      So red as any blood.

    III

    Joseph and Mary walk’d
      Through an orchard green,
    Where was berries and cherries
      As thick as might be seen.

    IV

    O then bespoke Mary,
      So meek and so mild,
    ‘Pluck me one cherry, Joseph,
      For I am with child.’

    V

    O then bespoke Joseph
      With words so unkind,
    ‘Let him pluck thee a cherry
      That brought thee with child.’

    VI

    O then bespoke the babe
      Within his mother’s womb,
    ‘Bow down then the tallest tree
      For my mother to have some.’

    VII

    Then bow’d down the highest tree
      Unto his mother’s hand:
    Then she cried, ‘See, Joseph,
      I have cherries at command!’

    VIII

    O then bespake Joseph--
      ‘I have done Mary wrong;
    But cheer up, my dearest,
      And be not cast down.

    IX

    ‘O eat your cherries, Mary,
      O eat your cherries now;
    O eat your cherries, Mary,
      That grow upon the bough.’

    X

    Then Mary pluck’d a cherry
      As red as the blood;
    Then Mary went home
      With her heavy load.


    _ii_

    XI

    As Joseph was a-walking,
      He heard an angel sing:
    ‘This night shall be born
      Our heavenly King.

    XII

    ‘He neither shall be born
      In housen nor in hall,
    Nor in the place[612] of Paradise,
      But in an ox’s stall.

    XIII

    ‘He neither shall be clothèd
      In purple nor in pall[613],
    But all in fair linen,
      As were babies all.

    XIV

    ‘He neither shall be rock’d
      In silver nor in gold,
    But in a wooden cradle
      That rocks on the mould.

    XV

    ‘He neither shall be christen’d
      In white wine nor red,
    But with fair spring water
      With which we were christenèd.


    _iii_

    XVI

    Then Mary took her young son
      And set him on her knee;
    ‘I pray thee now, dear child,
      Tell how this world shall be.’--

    XVII

    ‘O I shall be as dead, mother,
      As the stones in the wall;
    O the stones in the street, mother,
      Shall mourn for me all.

    XVIII

    ‘And upon a Wednesday
      My vow I will make,
    And upon Good Friday
      My death I will take.

    XIX

    ‘Upon Easter-day, mother,
      My uprising shall be;
    O the sun and the moon, mother,
      Shall both rise with me!’

FOOTNOTES:

[612] place = palace.

[613] pall = fine cloth.




_102. The Carnal[614] and the Crane_


    I

    As I pass’d by a river side,
      And there as I did reign[615],
    In argument I chanced to hear
      A Carnal and a Crane.

    II

    The Carnal said unto the Crane,
      ‘If all the world should turn,
    Before we had the Father,
      But now we have the Son!

    III

    ‘From whence does the Son come?
      From where and from what place?’--
    He said, ‘In a manger,
      Between an ox and an ass!’

    IV

    ‘I pray thee,’ said the Carnal,
      ‘Tell me before thou go’st,
    Was not the mother of Jesus
      Conceived by the Holy Ghost?’--

    V

    ‘She was the purest Virgin,
      And the cleanest from sin;
    She was the handmaid of our Lord,
      And mother of our King.’--

    VI

    ‘Where is the golden cradle
      That Christ was rockèd in?
    Where are the silken sheets
      That Jesus was wrapt in?’--

    VII

    ‘A manger was the cradle
      That Christ was rockèd in;
    The provender the asses left
      So sweetly he slept on.

    VIII

    ‘There was a star in the West land,
      So bright did it appear
    Into King Herod’s chamber,
      And where King Herod were.

    IX

    ‘The Wise Men soon espied it,
      And told the king on high,
    A princely babe was born that night
      No king could e’er destroy.

    X

    ‘If this be true, King Herod said,
      As thou tellest unto me,
    This roasted cock that lies in the dish
      Shall crow full fences[616] three.

    XI

    ‘The cock soon freshly feathered was
      By the work of God’s own hand,
    And then three fences crowèd he
      In the dish where he did stand.

    XII

    ‘Rise up, rise up, you merry men all,
      See that you ready be,
    All children under two years old
      Now slain they all shall be.

    XIII

    ‘Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,
      And Mary, that was so pure,
    They travelled into Egypt,
      As you shall find it sure.

    XIV

    ‘And when they came to Egypt’s land,
      Amongst those fierce wild beasts,
    Mary, she being weary,
      Must needs sit down to rest.

    XV

    ‘Come sit thee down, says Jesus,
      Come sit thee down by me,
    And thou shalt see how these wild beasts
      Do come and worship me.

    XVI

    ‘First came the lovely lion,
      Which Jesu’s grace did spring,
    And of the wild beasts in the field,
      The lion shall be the king.

    XVII

    ‘We’ll choose our virtuous princes,
      Of birth and high degree,
    In every sundry nation,
      Where’er we come and see.

    XVIII

    ‘Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,
      And Mary, that was unknown,
    They travelled by a husbandman,
      Just while his seed was sown.

    XIX

    ‘God speed thee, man! said Jesus,
      Go fetch thy ox and wain,
    And carry home thy corn again,
      Which thou this day hast sown.

    XX

    ‘The husbandman fell on his knees,
      Even before his face;
    Long time hast thou been looked for,
      But now thou art come at last.

    XXI

    ‘And I myself do now believe
      Thy name is Jesus called;
    Redeemer of mankind thou art,
      Though undeserving all.

    XXII

    ‘The truth, man, thou hast spoken,
      Of it thou may’st be sure,
    For I must lose my precious blood
      For thee and thousands more.

    XXIII

    ‘If any one should come this way,
      And inquire for me alone,
    Tell them that Jesus passèd by,
      As thou thy seed did sow.

    XXIV

    ‘After that there came King Herod,
      With his train so furiously,
    Inquiring of the husbandman,
      Whether Jesus passèd by.

    XXV

    ‘Why, the truth it must be spoke,
      And the truth it must be known,
    For Jesus passèd by this way
      When my seed was sown.

    XXVI

    ‘But now I have it reapen,
      And some laid on my wain,
    Ready to fetch and carry
      Into my barn again.

    XXVII

    ‘Turn back, says the Captain,
      Your labour and mine’s in vain,
    It’s full three-quarters of a year
      Since he his seed has sown.

    XXVIII

    ‘So Herod was deceivèd
      By the work of God’s own hand,
    And further he proceeded
      Into the Holy Land.

    XXIX

    ‘There’s thousands of children young,
      Which for his sake did die,--
    Do not forbid those little ones,
      And do not them deny.

    XXX

    ‘The truth now I have spoken,
      And the truth now I have shown
    Even the blessed Virgin,
      She’s now brought forth a Son.’

FOOTNOTES:

[614] Carnal = crow.

[615] reign = run.

[616] fences = times.




_103. Jolly Wat_


      _Can I not sing but ‘Hoy’,
      Whan the joly shepard made so much joy?_

    I

    The shepard upon a hill he sat;
    He had on him his tabard[617] and his hat,
    His tarbox, his pipe, and his flagat[618];
    His name was callèd Joly Joly Wat,
        For he was a gud herdés boy.
                    Ut hoy!
        For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    II

    The shepard upon a hill was laid;
    His dog unto his girdell was taid[619];
    He had not slept but a litill braid[620],
    But ‘_Gloria in excelsis_’ was to him said.
                    Ut hoy!
        For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    III

    The shepard on a hill he stode;
    Round about him his shepe they yode[621];
    He put his hond under his hode[622],
    He saw a star as rede as blode.
                    Ut hoy!
       For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    IV

    The shepard said anon right,
    ‘I will go see yon ferly[623] sight,
    Whereas the angel singeth on hight,
    And the star that shineth so bright.’
                    Ut hoy!
       For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    V

    ‘Now farewell, Mall, and also Will!
    For my love go ye all still
    Unto I cum again you till,
    And evermore, Will, ring well thy bell.’
                    Ut hoy!
       For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    VI

    ‘Now must I go there Crist was born;
    Farewell! I cum again to-morn.
    Dog, kepe well my shepe fro the corn,
    And warn well “Warroke” when I blow my horn!’
                    Ut hoy!
       For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    VII

    Whan Wat to Bedlem cumen was,
    He swet, he had gone faster than a pace;
    He found Jesu in a simpell place,
    Betwen an ox but and an asse.
                    Ut hoy!
        For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    VIII

    ‘Jesu, I offer to thee here my pipe,
    My skirt, my tar-box, and my scrip;
    Home to my felowes now will I skip,
    And also look unto my shepe.’
                    Ut hoy!
        For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    IX

    ‘Now farewell, mine owne herdesman Wat!’--
    ‘Yea, for God, lady, even so I hat[624];
    Lull well Jesu in thy lap,
    And farewell, Joseph, with thy round cap!’
                    Ut hoy!
        For in his pipe he made so much joy.

    X

    ‘Now may I well both hope and sing,
    For I have bene at Cristes bering;
    Home to my felowes now will I fling.
    Crist of heven to his bliss us bring!’
                    Ut hoy!
        For in his pipe he made so much joy.

FOOTNOTES:

[617] tabard = short coat.

[618] flagat = flask.

[619] taid = tied.

[620] braid = time.

[621] yode = went.

[622] hode = hood.

[623] ferly = marvellous.

[624] hat = am hight, called.




_104. I Saw Three Ships_


    I

    As I sat under a sycamore tree,
      --A sycamore tree, a sycamore tree,
    I looked me out upon the sea
      On Christ’s Sunday at morn.

    II

    I saw three ships a-sailing there,
      --A-sailing there, a-sailing there,
    Jesu, Mary and Joseph they bare
      On Christ’s Sunday at morn.

    III

    Joseph did whistle and Mary did sing,
      --Mary did sing, Mary did sing,
    And all the bells on earth did ring
      For joy our Lord was born.

    IV

    O they sail’d in to Bethlehem!
      --To Bethlehem, to Bethlehem;
    Saint Michael was the sterèsman,
      Saint John sate in the horn[625].

    V

    And all the bells on earth did ring
      --On earth did ring, on earth did ring:
    ‘Welcome be thou Heaven’s King,
      On Christ’s Sunday at morn!’

FOOTNOTES:

[625] horn = prow.




_105. The Twelve Good Joys_


    I

    The first good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of one,
    To see her own Son Jesus
      To suck at her breast bone;
    To suck at her breast bone, good man,
          And blessèd may he be,
        Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
              To all eternity.

    II

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of two,
    To see her own son Jesus
      To make the lame to go;
    To make the lame to go, good man, &c.

    III

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of three;
    To see her own Son Jesus
      To make the blind to see;
    To make the blind to see, good man, &c.

    IV

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of four,
    To see her own Son Jesus
      To read the Bible o’er;
    To read the Bible o’er, good man, &c.

    V

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of five,
    To see her own son Jesus
      To raise the dead alive;
    To raise the dead alive, good man, &c.

    VI

    The next good joy our Mary had.
      It was the joy of six,
    To see her own Son Jesus
      To wear the crucifix;
    To wear the crucifix, good man, &c.

    VII

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of seven,
    To see her own Son Jesus
      To wear the crown of Heaven;
    To wear the crown of Heaven, good man, &c.

    VIII

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of eight,
    To see our blessèd Saviour
      Turn darkness into light;
    Turn darkness into light, good man, &c.

    IX

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of nine,
    To see our blessèd Saviour
      Turn water into wine;
    Turn water into wine, good man, &c.

    X

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of ten,
    To see our blessèd Saviour
      To write without a pen;
    To write without a pen, good man, &c.

    XI

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of eleven,
    To see our blessèd Saviour
      To show the gates of Heaven;
    To show the gates of Heaven, good man, &c.

    XII

    The next good joy our Mary had,
      It was the joy of twelve,
    To see our blessèd Saviour
      Shut close the gates of hell;
    Shut close the gates of hell, good man,
            And blessèd may he be,
          Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
            To all eternity.




_106. The Angel Gabriel_


    I

    The Angel Gabriel from God
      Was sent to Galilee,
    Unto a Virgin fair and free,
      Whose name was called Mary:
    And when the Angel thither came,
      He fell down on his knee,
    And looking up in the Virgin’s face,
      He said, ‘All hail, Mary!’
        Then, sing we all, both great and small,
          Noël, Noël, Noël;
        We may rejoice to hear the voice
          Of the Angel Gabriel.

    II

    Mary anon looked him upon,
      And said, ‘Sir, what are ye?
    I marvel much at these tidings
      Which thou hast brought to me.
    Married I am unto an old man,
      As the lot fell unto me;
    Therefore, I pray, depart away,
      For I stand in doubt of thee.’
        Then, sing, &c.

    III

    ‘Mary,’ he said, ‘be not afraid,
      But do believe in me:
    The power of the Holy Ghost
      Shall overshadow thee;
    Thou shalt conceive without any grief,
      As the Lord told unto me;
    God’s own dear Son from Heaven shall come
      And shall be born of thee.’
        Then, sing, &c.

    IV

    This came to pass as God’s will was,
      Even as the Angel told.
    About midnight an Angel bright
      Came to the Shepherds’ fold,
    And told them then both where and when
      Born was the child, our Lord,
    And all along this was their song,
      ‘All glory be given to God.’
        Then, sing, &c.

    V

    Good people all, both great and small,
      The which do hear my voice,
    With one accord let’s praise the Lord,
      And in our hearts rejoice;
    Like sister and brother, let’s love one another
      Whilst we our lives do spend,
    Whilst we have space let’s pray for grace,
      And so let my Carol end.
        Then, sing, &c.




_107. The Three Kings_


    I

    Now is Christëmas y-come,
    Father and Son together in one,
    Holy Ghost us be on
                  In fere-a[626];
          God send us a good New Year-a!

    II

    I would you sing, for and I might,
    Of a Child is fair in sight;
    His mother him bare this endris[627] night
                  So still-a,
          And as it was his will-a.

    III

    There came three Kings from Galilee
    Into Bethlehem, that fair citie,
    To seek to Him that e’er should be
                  By right-a
          Lord and king and knight-a.

    IV

    As they came forth with their off’ring,
    They met with Herod that moody king;
    He askèd them of their coming
                  This tide-a,
          And this to them he said-a.

    V

    ‘Of whence be ye, you Kingès three?’--
    ‘Of the East, as you may see,
    To seek to Him that should ever be
                  By right-a
          Lord and king and knight-a.’--

    VI

    ‘When you at this Child have been,
    Come you home this way again;
    Tell me the sight that you have seen;
                    I pray-a,
        Go you none other way-a.’

    VII

    They took their leave both old and ying[628]
    Then of Herod that moody king;
    They went forth with their offering
                    By light-a
        Of the star that shone so bright-a.

    VIII

    Till they came into the place
    Where Jesu and his mother was;
    Offer’d they up with great solace
                    In fere-a
        Gold, incense and myrrh-a.

    IX

    When they had their offering made
    As the Holy Ghost them bade,
    Then they were both merry and glad
                    And light-a;
        It was a good fair sight-a.

    X

    Anon, as on their way they went,
    The Father of heaven an angel sent
    To these three kings that made present
                    This tide-a,
        And this to them he said-a:--

    XI

    ‘My Lord hath warn’d you every one
    By Herod king you go not home,
    For an you do he will you slone[629]
                    And ’stroy-a,
        And hurt you wonderly-a.’

    XII

    So forth they went another way
    Through the might of God his lay[630],
    As the angel to them did say,
                    Full right-a;
        It was a good fair sight-a.

    XIII

    When they came home to their countrie,
    Glad and blithe they were all three
    Of the sight that they had see;
                    By dene-a[631]
        The company was clean-a.

    XIV

    Kneel we now here a-down;
    Pray we in good devotion
    To the King of great renown,
                    Of grace-a
        In heaven to have a place-a.

FOOTNOTES:

[626] In fere = in company.

[627] endris = last.

[628] ying = young.

[629] slone = slay.

[630] lay = law.

[631] By dene = at once, or all together.




_108. The Innocents_


    I

    Mark this song, for it is true,
    For it is true as clerkès tell:
    In old time strange things came to pass,
    Great wonder and great marvel was
            In Israel.

    II

    There was one Octavian,
    Octavian of Rome Emperour,
    As bookès old doe specify,
    Of all the wide world truëly
            He was lord and governour.

    III

    The Jews that time lackèd a king,
    They lackèd a king to guide them well,
    The Emperour of power and might,
    Chose one Herod against all right,
            In Israel.

    IV

    This Herod then was King of Jews
    Was King of Jews, and he no Jew.
    Forsooth he was a Paynim born,
    Wherefore on faith it may be sworn
            He reignèd King untrue.

    V

    By prophecy one Isaï,
    One Isaï at least did tell
    A child should come (wondrous news)
    That should be born true King of Jews
            In Israel.

    VI

    This Herod knew one born should be,
    One born should be of true linàge,
    That should be right heritour;
    For he but by the Emperour
            Was made by usurpage.

    VII

    Wherefore of thought this King Herod,
    This King Herod in great fear fell,
    For all the days most in his mirth,
    Ever he fearèd Christ his birth
            In Israel.

    VIII

    The time came it pleasèd God,
    It pleasèd God so to come to pass,
    For man’s soul indeed
    His blessed Son was born with speed
            As his will was.

    IX

    Tidings came to King Herod,
    To King Herod, and did him tell,
    That one born forsooth is he,
    Which lord and king of all shall be
            In Israel.

    X

    Herod then raged as he were wode[632],
    As he were wode of this tidìng,
    And sent for all his scribès sure,
    Yet would he not trust the Scripture,
            Nor of their counselling.

    XI

    Then this was the conclusion,
    The conclusion of his counsèl;
    To send unto his knights anon
    To slay the children every one
            In Israel.

    XII

    This cruel king this tyranny,
    This tyranny did put in ure[633];
    Between a day and years two
    All men-children he did slew,
            Of Christ for to be sure.

    XIII

    Yet Herod miss’d his cruel prey,
    His cruel prey as was God’s will;
    Joseph with Mary then did flee;
    With Christ to Egypt gone was she
            From Israel.

    XIV

    All the while these tyrànts,
    These tyrànts would not convert,
    But innocents ying[634]
    That lay sucking,
            They thrust to the heart.

    XV

    This Herod sought the children ying,
    The children ying, with courage fell,
    But in doing this vengeànce
    His own son was slain by chance
            In Israel.

    XVI

    Alace! I think the mothers were woe,
    The mothers were woe, it was great skill[635]:
    What motherly pain
    To see them slain
            In cradles lying still!

    XVII

    But God Himself hath them elect,
    Hath them elect, in heaven to dwell:
    For they were bathèd in their blood,
    For their Baptism forsooth it stood
            In Israel.

    XVIII

    Alace! again what hearts had they,
    What hearts had they those babes to kill!
    With swords when they them caught,
    In cradles they lay and laught,
            And never thought ill.

FOOTNOTES:

[632] wode = mad.

[633] ure = practice.

[634] ying = young.

[635] skill = reason.




_109. Dives and Lazarus_


    I

    As it fell out upon a day,
      Rich Dives he made a feast,
    And he invited all his friends
      And gentry of the best.

    II

    Then Lazarus laid him down and down,
      And down at Dives’ door;
    ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
      Bestow upon the poor!’--

    III

    ‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
      That lies begging at my door;
    No meat nor drink will I give thee,
      Nor bestow upon the poor.’

    IV

    Then Lazarus laid him down and down.
      And down at Dives’ wall,
    ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
      Or with hunger starve I shall!’--

    V

    ‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
      That lies begging at my wall;
    No meat nor drink will I give thee,
      But with hunger starve you shall.’

    VI

    Then Lazarus laid him down and down,
      And down at Dives’ gate:
    ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
      For Jesus Christ his sake!’--

    VII

    ‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
      That lies begging at my gate;
    No meat nor drink will I give thee,
      For Jesus Christ his sake.’

    VIII

    Then Dives sent out his merry men,
      To whip poor Lazarus away;
    They had no power to strike a stroke,
      But flung their whips away.

    IX

    Then Dives sent out his hungry dogs,
      To bite him as he lay;
    They had no power to bite at all,
      But lickèd his sores away.

    X

    As it fell out upon a day,
      Poor Lazarus sicken’d and died;
    Then came two angels out of heaven
      His soul therein to guide.

    XI

    ‘Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus,
      And go along with me;
    For you’ve a place prepared in heaven,
      To sit on an angel’s knee.’

    XII

    As it fell out upon a day,
      Rich Dives sicken’d and died;
    Then came two serpents out of hell,
      His soul therein to guide.

    XIII

    ‘Rise up, rise up, brother Dives,
      And go with us to see
    A dismal place, prepared in hell,
      To sit on a serpent’s knee.’

    XIV

    Then Dives look’d up with his eyes,
      And saw poor Lazarus blest:
    ‘Give me one drop of water, brother Lazarus,
      To quench my flaming thirst.

    XV

    ‘Oh had I as many years to abide
      As there are blades of grass,
    Then there would be an end, but now
      Hell’s pains will ne’er be past!

    XVI

    ‘Oh was I now but alive again,
      The space of one half hour!
    Oh that I had my peace secure!
      Then the devil should have no power.’




_110. The Holy Well_


    I

    As it fell out one May morning,
      And upon one bright holiday,
    Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother,
      If he might go to play.

    II

    ‘To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go,
      And to play pray get you gone;
    And let me hear of no complaint
      At night when you come home.’

    III

    Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town,
      As far as the Holy Well,
    And there did see as fine children
      As any tongue can tell.

    IV

    He said, ‘God bless you every one,
      And your bodies Christ save and see:
    Little children, shall I play with you,
      And you shall play with me?’

    V

    But they made answer to him, ‘No:
      They were lords and ladies all;
    And he was but a maiden’s child,
      Born in an ox’s stall.’

    VI

    Sweet Jesus turnèd him around,
      And he neither laughed nor smiled,
    But the tears came trickling from his eyes
      To be but a maiden’s child.

    VII

    Sweet Jesus turnèd him about,
      To his mother’s dear home went he,
    And said, ‘I have been in yonder town,
      As far as you can see.

    VIII

    ‘I have been down in yonder town
      As far as the Holy Well,
    There did I meet as fine children
      As any tongue can tell.

    IX

    ‘I bid God bless them every one,
      And their bodies Christ save and see:
    Little children, shall I play with you,
      And you shall play with me?

    X

    ‘But they made answer to me, No:
      They were lords and ladies all;
    And I was but a maiden’s child,
      Born in an ox’s stall.’--

    XI

    ‘Though you are but a maiden’s child,
      Born in an ox’s stall,
    Thou art the Christ, the King of heaven,
      And the Saviour of them all.

    XII

    ‘Sweet Jesus, go down to yonder town
      As far as the Holy Well,
    And take away those sinful souls,
      And dip them deep in hell.’

    XIII

    ‘Nay, nay,’ sweet Jesus said,
      ‘Nay, nay, that may not be,
    For there are too many sinful souls
      Crying out for the help of me.’




_111. The Seven Virgins_


    I

    All under the leaves and the leaves of life
      I met with virgins seven,
    And one of them was Mary mild,
      Our Lord’s mother of Heaven.

    II

    ‘O what are you seeking, you seven fair maids,
      All under the leaves of life?
    Come tell, come tell, what seek you
      All under the leaves of life?’

    III

    ‘We’re seeking for no leaves, Thomas,
      But for a friend of thine;
    We’re seeking for sweet Jesus Christ,
      To be our guide and thine.’

    IV

    ‘Go down, go down, to yonder town,
      And sit in the gallery,
    And there you’ll see sweet Jesus Christ
      Nail’d to a big yew-tree.’

    V

    So down they went to yonder town
      As fast as foot could fall,
    And many a grievous bitter tear
      From the virgins’ eyes did fall.

    VI

    ‘O peace, Mother, O peace, Mother,
      Your weeping doth me grieve:
    I must suffer this,’ He said,
      ‘For Adam and for Eve

    VII

    ‘O Mother, take you John Evangelist
      All for to be your son,
    And he will comfort you sometimes,
      Mother, as I have done.’

    VIII

    ‘O come, thou John Evangelist,
      Thou’rt welcome unto me;
    But more welcome my own dear Son,
      Whom I nursed on my knee.’

    IX

    Then He laid his head on His right shoulder.
      Seeing death it struck Him nigh--
    ‘The Holy Ghost be with your soul,
      I die, Mother dear, I die.’

    X

    O the rose, the gentle rose,
      And the fennel that grows so green!
    God give us grace in every place
      To pray for our king and queen.

    XI

    Furthermore for our enemies all
      Our prayers they should be strong:
    Amen, good Lord; your charity
      Is the ending of my song.




PART II




BOOK V




_112. Robyn and Gandelyn_


    I

    I herde a carpyng[636] of a clerk,
      Al at yone wodes ende,
    Of gode Robyn and Gandeleyn;
      Was ther non other thynge.
    _Robynn lyth in grene wode bowndyn._

    II

    Stronge thevys wern tho chylderin none,
      But bowmen gode and hende[637];
    He[638] wentyn to wode to getyn hem fleych,
      If God wold it hem sende.

    III

    Al day wentyn tho chylderin two,
      And fleych fowndyn he non,
    Til it were ageyn evyn[639];
      The chylderin wold gon hom.

    IV

    Half an honderid of fat falyf der
      He comyn ayon[640],
    And alle he wern fayr and fat i-now,
      But markyd was ther non:
    ‘Be dere God,’ seyde gode Robyn,
      ‘Hereof we shul have on[641].’

    V

    Robyn bent his joly bowe,
      Ther in he set a flo[642];
    The fattest der of alle
      The herte he clef a to[643].

    VI

    He hadde not the der i-flawe[644],
      Ne half out of the hyde,
    There cam a schrewde[645] arwe out of the west,
      That felde Robertes pryde.

    VII

    Gandeleyn lokyd hym est and west,
      Be every syde:
    ‘Hoo hat myn mayster slayin?
      Ho hat don this dede?
    Shal I never out of grene wode go
      Til I se his sydis blede.’

    VIII

    Gandeleyn lokyd hym est and west,
      And sowt under the sunne;
    He saw a lytil boy,
      He clepyn[646] Wrennok of Donne.

    IX

    A good bowe in his hond,
      A brod arwe ther-ine,
    And fowre and twenti goode arwys,
      Trusyd[647] in a thrumme[648]:
    ‘Be war the, war the, Gandeleyn,
      Her-of thu shalt han summe!

    X

    ‘Be war the, war the, Gandeleyn,
      Her of thu gyst[649] plenté!’--
    ‘Ever on for an other,’ seyde Gandeleyn;
      ‘Mysaunter[650] have he shal fle.

    XI

    ‘Qwer-at shal our marke be?’
      Seyde Gandeleyn.--
    ‘Everyche at otheris herte,’
      Seyde Wrennok ageyn.

    XII

    ‘Ho[651] shal yeve the ferste schote?’
      Seyde Gandeleyn.
    ‘And I shul yeve[652] the on be-forn,’
      Seyde Wrennok ageyn.

    XIII

    Wrennok schette a ful good schote,
      And he schet not to hye;
    Throw the sanchothis[653] of his bryk[654];
      It towcyhd neyther thye.

    XIV

    ‘Now hast thu yovyn me on[655] be-forn,’
      Al thus to Wrennok seyde he,
    ‘And throw the myyt of our lady
      A bettere I shal yeve the.’

    XV

    Gandeleyn bent his goode bowe,
      And set ther-in a flo;
    He schet throw his grene certyl[656],
      His herte he clef on too.

    XVI

    ‘Now shall thu never yelpe[657], Wrennok,
      At ale ne at wyn,
    That thu hast slawe goode Robyn,
      And his knave Gandeleyn.

    XVII

    ‘Now shalt thu never yelpe, Wrennok,
      At wyn ne at ale,
    That thu hast slawe goode Robyn,
      And Gandeleyn his knave.’
    _Robyn lyth in grene wode bowndyn._

FOOTNOTES:

[636] carpyng = talking, tale.

[637] hende = gracious, courteous.

[638] He = they.

[639] ageyn evyn = towards evening.

[640] He comyn ayon = came over against them, in their path.

[641] on = one.

[642] flo = arrow.

[643] a to = in two.

[644] i-flawe = flayed.

[645] schrewde = sharp.

[646] He clepyn = whom they call.

[647] Trusyd = trussed, bound up.

[648] thrumme = end of a warp.

[649] gyst = gettest.

[650] Mysaunter = misadventure.

[651] Ho = who.

[652] yeve = give.

[653] sanchothis = fork.

[654] bryk = breeches.

[655] yovyn me on = given me one.

[656] certyl = kirtle.

[657] yelpe = brag.




_113. The Birth of Robin Hood_


    I

    O Willie’s large o’ limb and lith[658],
      And come o’ high degree,
    And he is gane to Earl Richard,
      To serve for meat and fee.

    II

    Earl Richard had but ae daughter,
      Fair as a lily-flower,
    And they made up their love-contract
      Like proper paramour.

    III

    It fell upon a simmer’s nicht,
      Whan the leaves were fair and green,
    That Willie met his gay ladie
      Intil the wood alane.

    IV

    ‘O narrow is my gown, Willie,
      That wont to be sae wide;
    And gane is a’ my fair colour,
      That wont to be my pride.

    V

    ‘But gin my father should get word
      What’s past between us twa,
    Before that he should eat or drink,
      He’d hang you o’er that wa’.

    VI

    ‘But ye’ll come to my bower, Willie,
      Just as the sun gaes down,
    And kep[659] me in your arms twa,
      And latna me fa’ down.’

    VII

    O whan the sun was now gane down,
      He’s doen him till her bower,
    And there, by the lee licht o’ the moon,
      Her window she lookit o’er.

    VIII

    Intill a robe o’ red scarlèt
      She lap, fearless o’ harm;
    And Willie was large o’ lith and limb,
      And keppit her in his arm.

    IX

    And they’ve gane to the gude green-wood,
      And, ere the night was deen,
    She’s born to him a bonny young son,
      Amang the leaves sae green.

    X

    Whan night was gane, and day was come,
      And the sun began to peep,
    Up and raise the Earl Richard
      Out o’ his drowsy sleep.

    XI

    He’s ca’d upon his merry young men,
      By ane, by twa, and by three:
    ‘O what’s come o’ my daughter dear,
      That she’s nae come to me?

    XII

    ‘I dreamt a dreary dream last night,
      God grant it come to gude!
    I dreamt I saw my daughter dear
      Drown in the saut sea flood.

    XIII

    ‘But gin my daughter be dead or sick,
      Or yet be stown awa’,
    I mak a vow, and I’ll keep it true,
      I’ll hang ye ane and a’!’

    XIV

    They sought her back, they sought her fore,
      They sought her up and down;
    They got her in the gude green-wood,
      Nursing her bonny young son.

    XV

    He took the bonny boy in his arms,
      And kist him tenderlie;
    Says, ‘Though I would your father hang,
      Your mother’s dear to me.’

    XVI

    He kist him o’er and o’er again:
      ‘My grandson I thee claim,
    And Robin Hood in gude green-wood,
      And that shall be your name.’

    XVII

    And mony ane sings o’ grass, o’ grass,
      And mony ane sings o’ corn,
    And mony ane sings o’ Robin Hood
      Kens little whare he was born.

    XVIII

    It wasna in the ha’, the ha’,
      Nor in the painted bower;
    But it was in the gude green-wood,
      Amang the lily-flower.

FOOTNOTES:

[658] lith = joint.

[659] kep = catch.




_114. Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough, and William of Cloudesley_


    _Fytte the First_

    I

    Mery it was in the grene foreste
      Amonge the levès grene,
    Wheras men hunt east and west
     Wyth bowes and arrowes kene;

    II

    To raise the dere out of theyr denne;
      Suche sightes hath ofte bene sene;
    As by thre yemen of the north countrey,
      By them it is I meane.

    III

    The one of them hight Adam Bell,
      The other Clym of the Clough[660],
    The thyrd was Wyllyam of Cloudesley,
      An archer good ynough.

    IV

    They were outlaw’d for venyson,
      These yemen everych-one;
    They swore them brethren upon a day,
      To Englyshe-wood[661] for to gone.

    V

    Now lith[662] and lysten, gentylmen,
      That of myrthes loveth to here:
    Two of them were single men,
      The third had a wedded fere[663].

    VI

    Wyllyam was the wedded man,
      Muche more then was hys care:
    He sayde to hys brethren upon a day,
      To Carleile he would fare;

    VII

    For to speke with fayre Alyce his wife,
      And with hys chyldren thre.
    ‘By my trouth,’ sayde Adam Bel,
      ‘Not by the counsell of me:

    VIII

    ‘For if ye go to Carleile, brother,
      And from thys wylde wode wende,
    If that the Justice may you take,
      Your lyfe were at an ende.’--

    IX

    ‘If that I come not to-morowe, brother,
      By pryme[664] to you agayne,
    Truste you then that I am taken,
      Or else that I am slayne.’

    X

    He toke his leave of hys brethren two,
      And to Carleile he is gon:
    There he knock’d at his owne windòwe
      Shortlye and anone.

    XI

    ‘Wher be you, fayre Alyce,’ he sayd,
      ‘My wife and chyldren three?
    Lyghtly let in thyne owne husbànde,
      Wyllyam of Cloudesley.’--

    XII

    ‘Alas!’ then sayde fayre Alyce,
      And syghèd wonderous sore,
    ‘Thys place hath ben besette for you
      Thys halfè yere and more.’--

    XIII

    ‘Now am I here,’ sayde Cloudesley,
       ‘I would that in I were.
    Now fetche us meate and drynke ynoughe,
      And let us make good chere.’

    XIV

    She fetchèd hym meate and drynke plentye,
      Lyke a true wedded wyfe;
    And pleasèd hym with that she had,
      Whom she loved as her lyfe.

    XV

    There lay an old wyfe in that place,
      A lytle besyde the fyre,
    Whych Wyllyam had found[665] of charytye
      More than seven yere.

    XVI

    Up she rose, and forth shee goes,
      Evel mote shee speede therfore!
    For shee had sett no foote on ground
      In seven yere before.

    XVII

    She went unto the Justice Hall,
      As fast as she could hye:
    ‘Thys night,’ shee sayd, ‘is come to town
      Wyllyam of Cloudeslyè.’

    XVIII

    Thereof the Justice was full fayne[666],
      And so was the Shirife also:
    ‘Thou shalt not trauaile hither, dame, for nought,
      Thy meed thou shalt have or thou go.’

    XIX

    They gave to her a ryght good goune,
      Of scarlate, [and of graine]:
    She toke the gyft, and home she wente,
      And couchèd her doune agayne.

    XX

    They raysed the towne of mery Carleile
      In all the haste they can;
    And came thronging to Wyllyam’s house,
      As fast as they might gone.

    XXI

    There they besette that good yeman
      Round about on every syde:
    Wyllyam hearde great noyse of folkes,
      That thither-ward fast hyed.

    XXII

    Alyce opened a backe wyndowe,
      And lokèd all aboute;
    She was ware of the Justice and Shirife bothe,
      Wyth a full great route.

    XXIII

    ‘Alas! treason!’ cryed Alyce,
      ‘Ever wo may thou be!
    Goe into my chamber, my husband,’ she sayd,
      ‘Swete Wyllyam of Cloudesley.’

    XXIV

    He toke hys sword and hys buckler,
      Hys bow and hys chyldren thre,
    And wente into hys strongest chamber,
      Where he thought surest to be.

    XXV

    Fayre Alyce, like a lover true,
      Took a polaxe in her hande:
    Said, ‘He shall dye that cometh in
      Thys dore, whyle I may stand.’

    XXVI

    Cloudesley bente a wel good bowe,
      That was of a trusty tre,
    He smot the Justice on the brest,
      That hys arowe brast in three.

    XXVII

    ‘God’s curse on his harte,’ saide Wyllyam,
      ‘Thys day thy cote dyd on!
    If it had ben no better then myne,
      It had gone nere thy bone.’--

    XXVIII

    ‘Yelde the Cloudesley,’ sayd the Justice,
      ‘And thy bowe and thy arrowes the fro.’--
    ‘God’s curse on hys hart,’ sayd fair Alyce,
      ‘That my husband councelleth so!’--

    XXIX

    ‘Set fyre on the house,’ saide the Sherife,
      ‘Syth it wyll no better be,
    And brenne we therin Wyllyam,’ he saide,
      ‘Hys wyfe and chyldren thre.’

    XXX

    They fyred the house in many a place,
      The fyre flew up on hye:
    ‘Alas!’ then cryèd fayre Alyce,
      ‘I see we here shall dye.’

    XXXI

    Wyllyam openyd a backe wyndowe,
      That was in hys chamber hie,
    And there with sheetes he did let downe
      His wyfe and children three.

    XXXII

    ‘Have you here my treasure,’ sayde Wyllyam,
      ‘My wyfe and my chyldren thre:
    For Christès love do them no harme,
      But wreke you all on me.’

    XXXIII

    Wyllyam shot so wonderous well,
      Tyll hys arrowes were all agoe,
    And the fyre so fast upon hym fell,
      That hys bowstryng brent in two.

    XXXIV

    The sparkles brent and fell upon
      Good Wyllyam of Cloudesley:
    Than was he a wofull man, and sayde,
      ‘Thys is a cowardes death to me.

    XXXV

    ‘Leever had I,’ sayde Wyllyam,
      ‘With my sworde in the route to renne,
    Then here among myne enemyes wode[667]
      Thus cruelly to bren.’

    XXXVI

    He toke hys sword and hys buckler,
      And among them all he ran,
    Where the people were most in prece[668],
      He smot downe many a man.

    XXXVII

    There myght no man abyde hys stroakes,
      So fersly on them he ran:
    Then they threw windowes and dores on him,
      And so toke that good yemàn.

    XXXVIII

    There they hym bounde both hand and fote,
      And in a deepe dungeon him cast:
    ‘Now Cloudesley,’ sayd the Justice,
      ‘Thou shalt be hangèd in hast.’

    XXXIX

    ‘A payre of new gallowes,’ sayd the Sherife,
      ‘Now shal I for thee make;’
    And the gates of Carleile shal be shutte:
      No man shal come in therat.

    XL

    ‘Then shall not helpe Clym of the Clough,
      Nor yet shall Adam Bell,
    Though they came with a thousand mo,
      Nor all the devels in hell.’

    XLI

    Early in the mornynge the Justice uprose,
      To the gates first can he gone,
    And commaunded to be shut full close
      Lightilè everych-one.

    XLII

    Then went he to the markett place,
      As fast as he coulde hye;
    There a payre of new gallowes he set up
      Besyde the pyllorye.

    XLIII

    A lytle boy among them asked,
      What meanèd that gallow-tre?
    They sayde to hange a good yemàn,
      Called Wyllyam of Cloudeslèy.

    XLIV

    That lytle boye was the towne swyne-heard,
      And kept fayre Alyce’s swyne;
    Oft he had seene Wyllyam in the wodde,
      And geven hym there to dyne.

    XLV

    He went out att a crevis of the wall,
      And lightly to the woode dyd gone;
    There met he with these wight yemen
      Shortly and anone.

    XLVI

    ‘Alas!’ then sayde the lytle boye,
      ‘Ye tary here all too longe;
    Cloudeslee is taken, and dampned[669] to death,
      And readye for to honge.’

    XLVII

    ‘Alas!’ then sayd good Adam Bell,
      ‘That ever we saw thys daye!
    He had better have tarryed with us,
      So ofte as we dyd him praye.

    XLVIII

    ‘He myght have dwelt in grene foreste,
      Under the shadowes greene,
    And have kepte both hym and us att reste,
      Out of all trouble and teene[670].’

    XLIX

    Adam bent a ryght good bow,
      A great hart sone hee had slayne:
    ‘Take that, chylde, to thy dynner,
      And bryng me myne arrowe agayne.’

    L

    ‘Now go we hence,’ sayed these wight yeomen,
      ‘Tarry we no longer here;
    We shall hym borowe[671] by God his grace,
      Though we buy itt full dere.’

    LI

    To Carleile wente these bold yemen,
      All in a mornyng of maye.--
    Here is a Fyt of Cloudesley,
      And another is for to saye.


    _Fytte the Second_

    LII

    And when they came to mery Carleile,
      In a fayre mornyng tyde,
    They founde the gates shut them untyll
      About on every syde.

    LIII

    ‘Alas!’ then sayd good Adam Bell,
      ‘That ever we were made men!
    These gates be shut so wonderly well,
      We may not come therein.’

    LIV

    Then bespake him Clym of the Clough,
      ‘With a wyle we wyl us in bryng;
    Let us say we be messengers,
      Streyght comen from our King.’

    LV

    Adam said, ‘I have a letter written,
      Now let us wysely werke,
    We wyl saye we have the Kyngè’s seale;
      I holde the porter no clerke.’

    LVI

    Then Adam Bell bete on the gates
      With strokès great and stronge:
    The porter herde such a noyse therat,
      And to the gates he thronge[672].

    LVII

    ‘Who is there now,’ sayd the porter,
      ‘That maketh all thys knockinge?’--
    ‘We be two messengers,’ quoth Clym of the Clough,
      ‘Be come ryght from our Kynge.’--

    LVIII

    ‘We have a letter,’ sayd Adam Bell,
      ‘To the Justice we must it brynge;
    Let us in our message to do,
      That we were agayne to the Kynge.’--

    LIX

    ‘Here commeth none in,’ sayd the porter,
      ‘By hym that dyed on a tre,
    Tyll a false thefe be hangèd,
      Called Wyllyam of Cloudesley.’

    LX

    Then spake the good yeman, Clym of the Clough,
      And swore by Mary fre,
    ‘And if that we stande long wythout,
      Lyke a thefe hangèd shalt thou be.

    LXI

    ‘Lo! here we have got the Kynge’s seale:
      What, lordane[673], art thou wode[674]?’
    The porter wende[675] it had ben so,
      And lyghtly dyd off hys hode.

    LXII

    ‘Welcome is my lordes seale,’ he saide;
      ‘For that ye shall come in.’
    He opened the gate right shortlye:
      An evyl openyng for him!

    LXIII

    ‘Now are we in,’ sayde Adam Bell,
      ‘Wherof we are full faine;
    But Christ he knowes, that harowed hell,
      How we shall come out agayne.’

    LXIV

    ‘Had we the keys,’ said Clym of the Clough,
      ‘Ryght wel then shoulde we spede,
    Then might we come out wel ynough
      When we se tyme and nede.’

    LXV

    They callèd the porter to counsell,
      And wrang his necke in two,
    And caste hym in a depe dungeon,
      And toke hys keys hym fro.

    LXVI

    ‘Now am I porter,’ sayd Adam Bell,
      ‘Se, brother, the keys are here!
    The worst porter to merry Carleile
      That ye had thys hundred yere.

    LXVII

    ‘And now wyll we our bowès bend,
      Into the towne wyll we go,
    For to delyver our dere brothèr,
      That lyeth in care and wo.’

    LXVIII

    Then they bent theyr good yew bowes,
      And lokèd theyr stringes were round[676],
    The market-place of mery Carleile
      They beset in that stound[677].

    LXIX

    And, as they lokèd them besyde,
      A paire of new galowes they see,
    And the Justice with a quest of swerers[678],
      That judged Cloudesley hangèd to be.

    LXX

    And Cloudesley lay redy in a cart,
      Fast bound both fote and hand;
    And a stronge rope about hys necke,
      All readye for to be hang’d.

    LXXI

    The Justice called to him a ladde,
      Cloudesley’s clothes shold hee have,
    To take the measure of that yeman,
      Thereafter to make hys grave.

    LXXII

    ‘I have sene as great mervaile,’ said Cloudesley,
      ‘As betweyne thys and pryme,
    He that maketh a grave for mee,
      Hymselfe may lye therin.’

    LXXIII

    ‘Thou speakest proudlye,’ said the Justice,
      ‘I will thee hange with my hande.’
    Full wel herd this his brethren two,
      There styll as they dyd stande.

    LXXIV

    Then Cloudesley cast his eyen asyde
      And saw hys brethren stande
    At a corner of the market place,
      With theyr good bowes bent in theyr hand.

    LXXV

    ‘I se comfort,’ sayd Cloudesley;
      ‘Yet hope I well to fare;
    If I might have my handes at wyll.
      Ryght lytell wolde I care.’

    LXXVI

    Then bespake good Adam Bell
      To Clym of the Clough so fre,
    ‘Brother, se you marke the Justyce wel;
      Lo! yonder you may him se:

    LXXVII

    ‘And at the Sheryfe shote I wyll
      Strongly wyth an arrowe kene.’--
    A better shote in mery Carleile
      Thys seven yere was not sene.

    LXXVIII

    They loosed their arrowes both at once,
      Of no man had they drede;
    The one hyt the Justice, the other the Sheryfe,
      That both theyr sides gan blede.

    LXXIX

    All men voyded[679], that them stode nye,
      When the Justice fell to the grounde,
    And the Sheryfe fell nye hym by;
      Eyther had his deathes wounde.

    LXXX

    All the citezeyns fast gan flye,
      They durst no longer abyde:
    There lyghtly they losèd Cloudesley,
      Where he with ropes lay tyde.

    LXXXI

    Wyllyam start to an officer of the towne,
      Hys axe out hys hand he wronge,
    On echè syde he smote them downe,
      Hym thought he taryed to long.

    LXXXII

    Wyllyam sayde to hys brethren two,
      ‘Thys daye let us lyve and die,
    If e’er you have nede, as I have now,
      The same you shall finde by me.’

    LXXXIII

    They shot so well in that tyde
      (Theyr stringes were of silke ful sure)
    That they kept the stretes on every side;
      That batayle did long endure.

    LXXXIV

    They fought together as brethren true,
      Lyke hardy men and bolde,
    Many a man to the ground they threw,
      And many a herte made colde.

    LXXXV

    But when their arrowes were all gon,
      Men presyd to them full fast,
    They drew theyr swordès then anone,
      And theyr bowès from them cast.

    LXXXVI

    They went lyghtlye on theyr way,
      Wyth swordes and bucklers round;
    By that it was mydd of the day,
      They had made many a wound.

    LXXXVII

    There was many an out-horne[680] in Carleile blowen,
      And the belles backwarde dyd ryng;
    Many a woman sayde, Alas!
      And many theyr handes dyd wryng.

    LXXXVIII

    The Mayre of Carleile forth com was,
      Wyth hym a ful great route:
    These thre yemen dred hym full sore,
      For theyr lyvès stode in doute.

    LXXXIX

    The Mayre came armèd a full great pace,
      With a polaxe in hys hande;
    Many a strong man wyth him was,
      There in that stowre[681] to stande.

    XC

    The Mayre smot at Cloudesley with his byll,
      Hys buckler he brast in two,
    Full many a yeman with great yll,
      ‘Alas! Treason!’ they cryed for wo.
    ‘Kepe well the gatès fast we wyll,
      That these traytours therout not go.’

    XCI

    But al for nought was that they wrought,
      For so fast they downe were layde,
    Tyll they all thre, that so manfully fought
      Were gotten without, at a braide[682].

    XCII

    ‘Have here your keys,’ sayd Adam Bell,
      ‘Myne office I here forsake;
    And yf you do by my counsell
      A new porter do ye make.’

    XCIII

    He threw theyr keys there at theyr hedes,
      And bad them well to thryve,
    And all that letteth[683] any good yeman
      To come and comfort his wyfe.

    XCIV

    Thus be these good yeman gon to the wode
      As lyghtly as lefe on lynde[684];
    They laughe and be mery in theyr mode,
      Theyr enemyes were farre behynd.

    XCV

    When they came to Inglyswode,
      Under theyr trysty tre,
    There they found bowès full good,
      And arrowès great plentye.

    XCVI

    ‘So God me help,’ sayd Adam Bell,
      And Clym of the Clough so fre,
    ‘I would we were in mery Carleile,
      Before that fayre meynye[685].’

    XCVII

    They set them downe, and made good chere,
      And eate and dranke full well.--
    A second Fyt of the wightye yeomen:
      Another I wyll you tell.


    _Fytte the Third._

    XCVIII

    As they sat in Inglyswode,
      Under theyr trysty tre[686],
    They thought they herd a woman wepe,
      But her they mought not se.

    XCIX

    Sore syghèd there fayre Alyce, and sayd
      ‘That ever I sawe thys day!
    For nowe is my dere husband slayne:
      Alas! and wel-a-waye!

    C

    ‘Myght I have spoken wyth hys dere brethren,
      Or with eyther of them twayne,
    To show to them what him befell,
      My hart were out of payne.’

    CI

    Cloudesley walked a lytle beside,
      Looked under the grene wood lynde,
    He was ware of his wife and chyldren three,
      Full wo in herte and mynde.

    CII

    ‘Welcome, wyfe,’ then sayde Wyllyam,
      ‘Under this trysty tre:
    I had wende yesterday, by swete saynt John,
      Thou sholdest me never have se.’--

    CIII

    ‘Now well is me that ye be here,
      My harte is out of wo.’--
    ‘Dame,’ he sayde, ‘be mery of chere,
      And thanke my brethren two.’

    CIV

    ‘Herof to speake,’ said Adam Bell,
      ‘I-wis it is no bote:
    The meate, that we must supp withall,
      It runneth yet fast on fote.’

    CV

    Then went they downe into a launde[687].
      These noble archars all thre;
    Eche of them slew a hart of greece[688].
      The best they cold there se.

    CVI

    ‘Have here the best, Alyce, my wyfe,’
      Sayde Wyllyam of Cloudesley;
    ‘By cause ye so bouldly stode me by
      When I was slayne full nye.’

    CVII

    Then wente they to theyr suppere
      Wyth such meate as they had;
    And thankèd God of theyr fortune:
      They were both mery and glad.

    CVIII

    And when that they had suppèd well,
      Certayne withouten lease[689],
    Cloudesley sayd, ‘We wyll to our Kynge,
      To get us a charter of peace.

    CIX

    ‘Alyce shal be at sojournyng
      In a nunnery here besyde;
    My tow[690] sonnes shall wyth her go,
      And there they shall abyde.

    CX

    ‘My eldest son shall go wyth me;
      For hym have I no care:
    And he shall bring you worde agayn,
      How that we do fare.’

    CXI

    Thus be these wightmen[691] to London gone
      As fast as they myght hye,
    Tyll they came to the Kynge’s pallàce,
      Where they woulde needès be.

    CXII

    And whan they came to the Kynge’s courte,
      Unto the pallace gate,
    Of no man wold they aske no leave,
      But boldly went in therat.

    CXIII

    They presyd prestly[692] into the hall,
      Of no man had they dreade:
    The porter came after, and dyd them call,
      And with them began to chyde.

    CXIV

    The usher sayde, ‘Yemen, what wold ye have?
      I pray you tell to me.
    You myght thus make offycers shent[693]:
      Good syrs, of whence be ye?’--

    CXV

    ‘Syr, we be outlawes of the forest,
      Certayne withouten lease;
    And hether we be come to the Kyng,
      To get us a charter of peace.’

    CXVI

    And whan they came before our Kynge,
      As it was the lawe of the lande,
    They knelèd downe without lettyng[694],
      And eche held up his hand.

    CXVII

    They sayd, ‘Lord, we beseche you here
      That ye wyll graunt us grace;
    For we have slayne your fat falowe dere
      In many a sondry place.’

    CXVIII

    ‘What be your names,’ then said our Kynge,
      ‘Anone that you tell me?’--
    They sayd, ‘Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough,
      And Wyllyam of Cloudesley.’--

    CXIX

    ‘Be ye those theves,’ then sayd our Kynge,
      ‘That men have tolde of to me?
    Here to God I make an avowe,
      Ye shal be hangèd al thre.

    CXX

    ‘Ye shal be dead without mercỳ,
      As I am Kynge of this lande.’
    He commanded his officers everich-one,
      Fast on them to lay hande.

    CXXI

    There they toke these good yemen,
      And arested them al thre:
    ‘So may I thryve,’ sayd Adam Bell,
      ‘Thys game lyketh not me!

    CXXII

    ‘But, good lorde, we beseche you then,
      That yee graunt us grace,
    Insomuche as we be to you comen,
      Or else we may fro you passe,

    CXXIII

    ‘With such weapons as we have here,
      Tyll we be out of your place;
    And yf we lyve this hundred yere,
      We wyll aske you no grace.’

    CXXIV

    ‘Ye speake proudly,’ sayd the Kynge;
      ‘Ye shall be hangèd all thre.’
    ‘That were great pitye,’ then sayd the Quene,
      ‘If any grace myght be.

    CXXV

    ‘My lorde, whan I came fyrst into this lande
      To be your wedded wyfe,
    The fyrst boone that I wold aske,
      Ye would graunt it me belyfe[695]:

    CXXVI

    ‘And I asked you never none tyll now;
      Therefore, lorde, graunt it me!’--
    ‘Now aske it, madam,’ sayd the Kynge,
      ‘And graunted it shal be.’--

    CXXVII

    ‘Then, good my lord, I you beseche,
      These yemen graunt ye me.’--
    ‘Madame, ye myght have asked a boone
      That shuld have been worth them thre.

    CXXVIII

    ‘Ye myght have askèd towres and townes,
      Parkes and forestes plentye.’--
    ‘None soe pleasant to my pay[696],’ shee sayd;
      ‘Nor none so lefe[697] to me.’--

    CXXIX

    ‘Madame, sith it is your desyre,
      Your askyng graunted shal be;
    But I had lever have geven you
      Good market-townès thre.’

    CXXX

    The Quenè was a glad woman,
      And sayde, ‘Lord, gramarcy!
    I dare and undertake for them
      That true men shal they be.

    CXXXI

    ‘But good lord, speke som mery word,
      That comfort they may se.’--
    ‘I graunt you grace,’ then sayd our Kynge;
      ‘Washe, felows, and to meate go ye.’

    CXXXII

    They had not setten but a whyle,
      Certayne without lesynge,
    There came messengers out of the north
      With letters to our Kynge.

    CXXXIII

    And whan they came before the Kynge,
      They knelt downe on theyr kne;
    And sayd, ‘Lord, your officers grete you well,
      Of Carleile in the north countrè.’

    CXXXIV

    ‘How fareth my Justice,’ sayd the Kynge,
      ‘And my Sheryfe also?’--
    ‘Syr, they be slayne, without leasynge,
      And many an officer mo.’--

    CXXXV

    ‘Who hath them slayne,’ sayd the Kynge,
      ‘Anone that thou tell me.’--
    ‘Adam Bell, and Clym of the Clough,
      And Wyllyam of Cloudesley.’--

    CXXXVI

    ‘Alas for rewth!’ then sayd our Kynge:
      ‘My herte is wonderous sore;
    I had lever than a thousande pounde,
      I had knowne of thys before;

    CXXXVII

    ‘For I have y-graunted them grace,
      And that forthynketh[698] me:
    But had I knowne all thys before,
      They had been hangèd all thre.’

    CXXXVIII

    The Kyng hee opened the letter anone,
      Himselfe he red it thro,
    And founde how these outlàwes had slain
      Thre hundred men and mo:

    CXXXIX

    Fyrst the Justice, and the Sheryfe,
      And the Mayre of Carleile towne;
    Of all the constables and catchipolles
      Alyve were scant left one:

    CXL

    The baylyes, and the bedyls both,
      And the sergeauntes of the law,
    And forty fosters of the fe[699],
      These outlawes had y-slaw;

    CXLI

    And broke his parks, and slayne his dere;
      Of all they chose the best;
    So perèlous out-lawes as they were
      Walked not by easte nor west.

    CXLII

    When the Kynge this letter had red,
      In hys herte he syghèd sore:
    ‘Take up the tables,’ anone he bad,
      ‘For I may eat no more.’

    CXLIII

    The Kynge callèd hys best archars
      To the buttes[700] wyth hym to go:
    ‘I wyll se these felowes shote,’ he sayd,
      ‘In the north have wrought this wo.’

    CXLIV

    The Kynge’s bowmen buske them[701] blyve[702],
      And the Quene’s archers also;
    So dyd these thre wyght yemen;
      With them they thought to go.

    CXLV

    There twyse or thryse they shote about
      For to assay theyr hande;
    There was no shote these yemen shot,
      That any prycke[703] myght stand.

    CXLVI

    Then spake Wyllyam of Cloudesley:
      ‘By God that for me dyed,
    I hold hym never no good archar,
      That shoteth at buttes so wyde.’--

    CXLVII

    ‘At what a butte now wold ye shote,
      I pray thee tell to me?’--
    ‘Nay, syr,’ he sayd, ‘at such a butte
      As men use in my countrè.’

    CXLVIII

    Wyllyam wente into a fyeld,
      And with him his two brethren:
    There they set up two hasell roddes
      Twenty score paces betwene.

    CXLIX

    ‘I hold him an archar,’ said Cloudesley,
      ‘That yonder wande cleveth in two,’--
    ‘Here is none suche,’ sayd the Kynge,
      ‘Nor no man can so do.’

    CL

    ‘I shall assaye, syr,’ sayd Cloudesley,
      ‘Or that I farther go.’
    Cloudesley with a bearing arowe[704]
      Clave the wand in two.

    CLI

    ‘Thou art the best archer,’ then said the Kynge,
      ‘Forsothe that ever I se.’--
    ‘And yet for your love,’ sayd Wyllyam,
      ‘I wyll do more maystery.

    CLII

    ‘I have a sonne is seven yere olde,
      He is to me full deare;
    I wyll hym tye unto a stake:
      All shall se, that be here;

    CLIII

    ‘And lay an apple upon hys head,
      And go syxe score paces hym fro,
    And I my selfe with a brode arow
      Shall cleve the apple in two.’

    CLIV

    ‘Now hastè the,’ then sayd the Kynge,
      ‘By hym that dyed on a tre,
    But yf thou do not, as thou hest sayde,
      Hangèd shall thou be.

    CLV

    ‘An thou touche his head or gowne,
      In syght that men may se,
    By all the sayntes that be in heaven,
      I shall hange you all thre!’

    CLVI

    ‘That I have promised,’ said Wyllyam,
      ‘That I wyll never forsake.’
    And there even before the Kynge
      In the earth he drove a stake:

    CLVII

    And bound thereto his eldest sonne,
      And bad hym stand styll thereat;
    And turned the childè’s face him fro,
      Because he should not start.

    CLVIII

    An apple upon his head he set,
      And then his bowe he bent:
    Syxe score paces they were out-met[705],
      And thether Cloudesley went

    CLIX

    There he drew out a fayr brode arrowe,
      --Hys bowe was great and longe,--
    He set that arrowe in his bowe,
      That was both styffe and stronge.

    CLX

    He prayèd the people, that was there,
      That they all styll wold stand,
    ‘For he that shoteth for such a wager,
      Behoveth a stedfast hand.’

    CLXI

    Muche people prayèd for Cloudesley,
      That his lyfe savèd myght be,
    And whan he made hym redy to shote,
      There was many weeping e’e.

    CLXII

    But Cloudesley clefte the apple in two,
      That many a man it se;
    ‘Over God’s forbode,’ sayde the Kynge,
      ‘That thou shold shote at me!’

    CLXIII

    ‘I geve thee eightene pence a day,
      And my bowè shalt thou bere,
    And over all the north countrè
      I make the chyfe rydère[706].’

    CLXIV

    ‘And I thyrtene pence,’ said the Quene,
      ‘By God, and by my fay;
    Come feche thy payment when thou wylt,
      No man shall say the nay.

    CLXV

    ‘Wyllyam, I make the a gentleman
      Of clothyng, and of fe:
    And thy brethren yemen of my chambre,
      For they are so semely to se.

    CLXVI

    ‘Your sonne, for he is tendre of age,
      Of my wyne-seller he shall be;
    And when he commeth to mans estate,
      Better avaunced shall he be.

    CLXVII

    ‘And, Wyllyam, bring me your wife,’ said the Quene,
      ‘Me longeth her sore to se:
    She shall be my chefe gentlewoman,
      To governe my nurserye.’

    CLXVIII

    The yemen thanked them all courteously,
      And sayd, ‘To Rome wyl we wend,
    Of all the synnes, that we have done,
      To be assoyld at his hand.’

    CLXIX

    So forth be gone these good yemèn,
      As fast as they might hye;
    And after came and dwell’d with the Kynge,
      And dyed good men all thre.

    CLXX

    Thus endeth the lyves of these good yemèn;
      God send them eternall blysse;
    And all, that with a hand-bowe shoteth:
      That of heven they may never mysse!

FOOTNOTES:

[660] Clym of the Clough = Clement of the Cliff.

[661] Englyshe-wood = Inglewood, near Carlisle.

[662] lith = hearken.

[663] fere = mate.

[664] pryme = six in the morning.

[665] found = provided for.

[666] fayne = rejoiced.

[667] wode = wild, savage.

[668] prece = press, crowd.

[669] dampned = condemned.

[670] teene = sorrow.

[671] borowe = ransom, redeem.

[672] thronge = hastened.

[673] lordane = dolt.

[674] wode = mad.

[675] wende = weened, thought.

[676] round = i. e. not frayed.

[677] stound = time.

[678] swerers = swearers, jurymen.

[679] voyded = gave room, ran off.

[680] out-horne = a horn blown to call citizens to help the law.

[681] stowre = press of fight.

[682] braide = sudden spring.

[683] letteth = hindereth.

[684] lynde = linden.

[685] meynye = company.

[686] trysty tre = trysting tree.

[687] launde = forest-park.

[688] of greece = of grease, fat.

[689] lease = lying.

[690] tow = two.

[691] wightmen = stout fellows.

[692] presyd prestly = pressed quickly.

[693] shent = ruined.

[694] lettyng = delay.

[695] belyfe = straightway.

[696] pay = satisfaction.

[697] lefe = dear.

[698] forthynketh = repenteth.

[699] fosters of the fe = foresters of the lordship.

[700] buttes = targets.

[701] buske them = busked, made them ready.

[702] blyve = belyfe _supra_, straightway.

[703] prycke = mark.

[704] bearyng arowe = a long arrow, tapered to carry far.

[705] out-met = measured out.

[706] rydère = ranger.




_115. A Little Geste of Robin Hood and his Meiny[707]_


_The First Fytte_

How Robin Hood befriended a poor Knight, Sir Richard at the Lee

    I

    Lithe[708] and listen, Gentlemen,
      That be of free-born blood:
    I shall you tell of a good yeoman,
      His name was Robin Hood.

    II

    Robin was a proud outlaw,
      The while he walked on ground;
    So courteous an outlaw as he was one
      Was never none y-found.

    III

    Robin stood in Barnèsdale[709],
      And leaned him to a tree;
    And by him stood Little John,
      A good yeoman was he.

    IV

    And also did good Scathèlock,
      And Much, the miller’s son;
    There was none inch of his body,
      But it was worth a groom[710].

    V

    Then bespake him Little John
      All unto Robin Hood:
    ‘Master, an ye would dine betimes
      It would do you much good.’

    VI

    Then bespake him good Robin:
      ‘To dine I have no lest[711],
    Till that I have some bold baron,
      Or some uncouth[712] guest,

    VII

    ‘Till that I have some bold baron
      That may pay for the best,
    Or else some knight, or some squièr
      That dwelleth here by West.’

    VIII

    A good mannèr then had Robin;
      In land where that he were[713],
    Every day ere he would dine
      Three masses would he hear:

    IX

    The one in worship of the Father,
      The other of the Holy Ghost,
    The third was of Our dear Lady
      That he loved alder-most[714].

    X

    Robin loved our dear Lady;
      For doubt[715] of deadly sin
    Would he no company do harm
      That woman was therein.

    XI

    ‘Master,’ then said Little John,
      ‘An we our board shall spread,
    Tell us whither we shall go,
      And what life we shall lead;

    XII

    ‘Where we shall take, where we shall leave,
      Where we shall abide behind,
    Where we shall rob, where we shall reave[716],
      Where we shall beat and bind.’

    XIII

    ‘Thereof no force[717],’ then said Robin;
      ‘We shall do well enow;
    But look ye do no husband[718] harm
      That tilleth with his plough.

    XIV

    ‘No more ye shall no good yeoman
      That walketh by green-wood shaw[719];
    Nor yet no knight nor no squièr
      That will be a good fellaw.

    XV

    ‘These bishops and these archbishops,
      Ye shall them beat and bind;
    The High Sheriff of Nottingham,
      Him hold ye in your mind.’

    XVI

    ‘This word shall be held,’ said Little John,
      ‘This lesson we shall lere[720];
    It is far days[721]; God send us a guest,
      That we were at our dinnere.’

    XVII

    ‘Take thy good bow,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Let Much wend with thee,
    And so shall William Scathèlock,
      And no man abide with me;

    XVIII

    ‘And walk ye up unto the Sayles[722],
      And so to Watling Street[723],
    And wait after some uncouth guest;
      Upchance[724] ye may them meet.

    XIX

    ‘Be he an earl, or any baron,
      Abbot, or any knight,
    Bring ye him to lodge with me;
      His dinner shall be dight[725].’

    XX

    Then went they up unto the Sayles,
      Those yeoman allè three;
    They lookèd east, they lookèd west,
      They mightè no man see.

    XXI

    But as they looked in Barnèsdale,
      By a dernè[726] street[727],
    Then came a knight a-riding up;
      Full soon they gan him meet.

    XXII

    All dreary then was his semblaunt[728],
      And little was his pride;
    His one foot in the stirrup stood,
      The other waved beside.

    XXIII

    His hood hang’d in his eyen two;
      He rode in simple array;
    A sorrier man than he was one
      Rode never in summer day.

    XXIV

    Little John was full courteous,
      And set him[729] on his knee;
    ‘Welcome be ye, gentle Knight,
      Welcome are ye to me.

    XXV

    ‘Welcome be thou to greenè wood.
      Hendè[730] Knight and free;
    My master hath abiden you fasting
      Sir, all these hourès three.’

    XXVI

    ‘Who is thy master?’ said the Knight.
      John said, ‘Robin Hood.’
    ‘He is a good yeoman,’ said the Knight,
      ‘Of him I have heard much good.

    XXVII

    ‘I grant,’ he said, ‘with you to wend,
      My brethren, all in fere[731];
    My purpose was to have dined to-day
      At Blyth[732] of Doncastere.’

    XXVIII

    Forth then went this gentle Knight,
      With a careful cheer[733];
    The tears out of his eyen ran,
      And fell down by his leer[734].

    XXIX

    They brought him to the lodgè door;
      When Robin gan him see,
    Full courteously did off his hood,
      And set him on his knee.

    XXX

    ‘Welcome, Sir Knight,’ then said Robin,
      ‘Welcome art thou to me;
    I have abiden you fasting, sir,
      All these hourès three.’

    XXXI

    Then answerèd the gentle Knight,
      With wordès fair and free;
    ‘God thee savè, good Robin,
      And all thy fair meinèe.’

    XXXII

    They washèd together and wipèd both,
      And set to their dinnere;
    Bread and wine they had enough,
      And numbles[735] of the deer.

    XXXIII

    Swans and pheasants they had full good,
      And fowls of the rivere;
    There failèd none so little a bird
      That ever was bred on brere[736].

    XXXIV

    ‘Do gladly, Sir Knight,’ said Robin.
      ‘Gramerci, sir,’ said he;
    ‘Such a dinner had I not
      Of all these weekès three.

    XXXV

    ‘If I come again, Robin,
      Here by this country,
    As good a dinner I shall thee make
      As thou hast made to me.’

    XXXVI

    ‘Gramerci, Knight,’ said Robin Hood;
      ‘My dinner when I have,
    I was never so greedy, by dear-worth[737] God,
      My dinner for to crave.

    XXXVII

    ‘But pray ere ye wend,’ said Robin Hood;
      ‘Me thinketh it is good right;
    It was never the manner, by dear-worth God,
      A yeoman to pay for a knight.’

    XXXVIII

    ‘I have nought in my coffers,’ said the Knight,
      ‘That I may proffer for shame:’
    ‘Little John, go look,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Nor let[738] not for no blame.’

    XXXIX

    ‘Tell me truth,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘So God have part of thee[739].’--
    ‘I have no more than ten shillings,
      So God have part of me.’

    XL

    ‘If thou hast no more,’ said Robin,
      ‘I will not one pennỳ;
    And if thou need of any more,
      More shall I lendè thee.

    XLI

    ‘Go now forth, Little John,
      The truthè tell thou me;
    If there be no more but ten shillings,
      No penny that I see.’

    XLII

    Little John his mantle spread
      Full fair upon the ground,
    And there he found in the Knight’s coffer
      But even half a pound.

    XLIII

    Little John let it lie full still,
      And went to his master low;
    ‘What tidings, John?’ said Robin Hood.--
      ‘Sir, the Knight is true enow.’

    XLIV

    ‘Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
      ‘The Knight shall begin;
    Muchè wonder thinketh me
      Thy clothing is so thin.

    XLV

    ‘Tell me one word,’ said Robin,
      ‘And counsel[740] shall it be;
    I trow thou wert made a knight of force[741],
      Or else of yeomanry[742].

    XLVI

    ‘Or else thou hast been a sorry husband[743],
      And lived in stroke and strife;
    An okerer[744], or a lecher[745],
      With wrong hast led thy life.’

    XLVII

    ‘I am none of thosè,’ said the Knight,
      ‘By Him that madè me;
    An hundred winter here before
      Mine anc’tors knights have be.

    XLVIII

    ‘But oft it hath befal’n, Robin,
      A man hath been disgrate[746];
    But God, that sitteth in heaven above,
      May amend his state.

    XLIX

    ‘Within these two years, Robin,’ he said,
      ‘My neighbours well it kenn’d[747],
    Four hundred pounds of good monèy
      Full well then might I spend,

    L

    ‘Now have I no good,’ said the Knight,
      ‘God hath shapen such an end,
    But my children and my wife,
      Till God it may amend.’

    LI

    ‘In what mannèr,’ then said Robin,
      ‘Hast thou lorn[748] thy richess?’
    ‘For my great folly,’ he said,
      ‘And for my kindèness.

    LII

    ‘I had a son forsooth, Robin,
      That should have been mine heir;
    When he was twenty winter old
      In field would joust full fair.

    LIII

    ‘He slew a knight of Lancashire,
      And a squièr bold;
    For to save him in his right
      My goods are set and sold.

    LIV

    ‘My lands are set to wed[749], Robin,
      Until a certain day,
    To a rich Abbot here beside
      Of St. Mary’s Abbèy.’

    LV

    ‘What is the sum?’ said Robin Hood;
      ‘The truthè tell thou me;’
    ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘four hundred pound;
      The Abbot told[750] it me.’

    LVI

    ‘An thou lose thy land,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘What shall fall of[751] thee?’--
    ‘Hastily I will me busk[752]
      Over the saltè sea,

    LVII

    ‘And see where Christ was quick and dead,
      On the mount of Calvary;
    Farewell, friend, and have good day;
      It may no better be.’

    LVIII

    Tears fell out of his eyen two;
      He would have gone his way;
    ‘Farewell, friends, and have good day,
      I have no more to pay.’

    LIX

    ‘Where be thy friends,’ said Robin Hood.
      ‘Sir, never one will me know;
    While I was rich enough at home
      Great boast then would they blow.

    LX

    ‘And now they run away from me,
      As beastès in a raw[753];
    They takè no more heed of me
      Than they me never saw.’

    LXI

    For ruth then weptè Little John,
      Scathèlock and Much in fere;
    ‘Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
      ‘For here is a simple cheer.

    LXII

    ‘Hast thou any friends,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Thy borrows[754] that will be?’
    ‘I havè none,’ then said the Knight,
      ‘But Him that died on tree!’

    LXIII

    ‘Do way thy japès[755],’ said Robin,
      ‘Thereof will I right none;
    Ween’st thou I would have God to[756] borrow,
      Peter, Paul or John?

    LXIV

    ‘Nay, by Him that madè me,
      And shope[757] both sun and moon,
    Find better borrow,’ said Robin,
      ‘Or money get’st thou none.’

    LXV

    ‘I have none other,’ said the Knight,
      ‘The soothè for to say,
    But if[758] it be Our dear Lady;
      She fail’d never ere this day.’

    LXVI

    ‘By dear-worth God,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘To seek all England thorough,
    Yet found I never to my pay
      A muchè better borrow.

    LXVII

    ‘Come now forth, Little John,
      And go to my treasurỳ,
    And bringè me four hundred pound,
      And look well told it be.’

    LXVIII

    Forth then wentè Little John,
      And Scathèlock went before;
    He told him out four hundred pound
      By eight and twenty score.

    LXIX

    ‘Is this well told?’ said Little Much;
      John said, ‘What grieveth thee?
    It is alms to help a gentle knight
      That is fal’n in poverty.’

    LXX

    ‘Master,’ then said Little John,
      ‘His clothing is full thin;
    Ye must give the Knight a livery
      To lap[759] his body therein.

    LXXI

    ‘For ye have scarlet and green, master,
      And many a rich array;
    There is no merchant in merry England
      So rich, I dare well say.’--

    LXXII

    ‘Take him three yards of each coloùr,
      And look well mete[760] it be.’--
    Little John took no measùre
      But his bowè-tree.

    LXXIII

    And at every handful that he met[761]
      He leapèd o’er feet three;
    ‘What devilkin’s draper,’ said Little Much,
      ‘Thinkest thou for to be?’

    LXXIV

    Scathèlock stood full still and laughed,
      And said, ‘He meteth right.
    John may give him good measure,
      For it costeth him but light.’

    LXXV

    ‘Master,’ then said Little John
      All unto Robin Hood,
    ‘Ye must give the Knight a horse
      To lead home all this good.’

    LXXVI

    ‘Take him a grey courser,’ said Robin,
      ‘And a saddle new;
    He is Our Lady’s messenger;
      God grant that he be true!’

    LXXVII

    ‘And a good palfrey[762],’ said Little Much,
      ‘To maintain him in his right;’
    ‘And a pair of boots,’ said Scathèlock,
      ‘For he is a gentle knight.’

    LXXVIII

    ‘What shalt thou give him, Little John?’--
      ‘Sir, a pair of gilt spurs clean,
    To pray for all this company;
      God bring him out of teen[763].’

    LXXIX

    ‘When shall my day be,’ said the Knight,
      ‘Sir, an your willè be?’--
    ‘This day twelve moneth,’ said Robin,
      ‘Under this green-wood tree.

    LXXX

    ‘It were great shamè,’ said Robin,
      ‘A knight alone to ride,
    Withoutè squire, yeoman, or page,
      To walkè by his side.

    LXXXI

    ‘I shall thee lend Little John, my man,
      For he shall be thy knave[764];
    In a yeoman’s stead he may thee stand,
      If thou great needè have.’


_The Second Fytte_

How the Knight paid his Creditors against their will

    LXXXII

    Now is the Knight gone on his way;
      This game him thought full good;
    When he looked on Barnèsdale,
      He blessèd Robin Hood.

    LXXXIII

    And when he thought on Barnèsdale,
      On Scathelock, Much, and John,
    He blessèd them for a company
      The best he ever in come[765].

    LXXXIV

    Then spake that gentle Knight,
      To Little John gan he say,
    ‘To-morrow I must to York town
      To Saint Mary’s Abbèy;

    LXXXV

    ‘And to the Abbot of that place
      Four hundred pound must pay;
    But[766] I be there upon this night
      My land is lost for aye.’

    LXXXVI

    The Abbot said to his Convènt,
      Where he stood on ground,
    ‘This day twelve moneth came a knight,
      And borrowed four hundred pound.

    LXXXVII

    ‘He borrowèd four hundred pound
      Upon his land and fee[767];
    But he come this ilkè[768] day
      Disherited shall he be.’

    LXXXVIII

    ‘It is full early,’ said the Prior,
      ‘The day is not yet far gone;
    I had liever pay an hundred pound,
      And lay it down anon.

    LXXXIX

    ‘The Knight is far beyond the sea,
      In England is his right,
    And suffereth hunger and cold
      And many a sorry night.

    XC

    ‘It were great pity,’ said the Prior,
      ‘So to have his land;
    An ye be so light of your conscience,
      Ye do him muchè shand[769].’

    XCI

    ‘Thou art ever in my beard[770],’ said the Abbot,
      ‘By God and Saint Richard!’
    With that came in a fat-headed monk,
      The Highè Cellarèr.

    XCII

    ‘He is dead or hangèd,’ said the monk,
      ‘By Him that bought me dear,
    And we shall have to spend in this place
      Four hundred pound by year.’

    XCIII

    The Abbot and the High Cellarer
      Started forth full bold,
    The High Justice of Engèland
      The Abbot there did hold.

    XCIV

    The High Justice and many mo
      Had taken into their hand
    Wholly all the Knightès debt,
      To put that Knight to shand.

    XCV

    They deemèd[771] the Knight wonder sore[772],
      The Abbot and his meinèe:
    ‘But he come this ilkè day,
      Disherited shall he be.’

    XCVI

    ‘He will not come yet,’ said the Justice,
      ‘I dare well undertake.’
    But in sorry timè for them all
      The Knight came to the gate.

    XCVII

    Then bespake that gentle Knight
      Until[773] his meinèe:
    ‘Now put on your simple weeds
      That ye brought from the sea.’

    XCVIII

    They putten on their simple weeds,
      They came to the gates anon;
    The Porter was ready himself,
      And welcomed them every one.

    XCIX

    ‘Welcome, Sir Knight,’ said the Porter,
      ‘My lord to meat is he,
    And so is many a gentle man,
      For the love of thee.’

    C

    The Porter swore a full great oath:
      ‘By Him that madè me,
    Here be the bestè corsèd[774] horse
      That ever yet I see.

    CI

    ‘Lead them into the stable,’ he said,
      ‘That easèd might they be’;
    ‘They shall not come therein,’ said the Knight,
      ‘By Him that died on tree.’

    CII

    Lordès were to meat y-set
      In that Abbot’s hall;
    The Knight went forth and kneelèd down
      And salued[775] them great and small.

    CIII

    ‘Do gladly, Sir Abbot,’ said the Knight,
      ‘I am come to hold my day.’
    The first word that the Abbot spake,
      ‘Hast thou brought me my pay?’

    CIV

    ‘Not one penny,’ said the Knight,
      ‘By Him that makèd me’:
    ‘Thou art a shrewd[776] debtor,’ said the Abbot;
      ‘Sir Justice, drink to me!’

    CV

    ‘What doest thou here,’ said the Abbot,
      ‘But[777] thou hadst brought thy pay?’
    ‘Alack is me,’ then said the Knight,
      ‘To pray of a longer day!’

    CVI

    ‘Thy day is broke,’ said the Justice,
      ‘Land gettest thou none.’--
    ‘Now, good Sir Justice, be my friend,
      And fend[778] me of my fone[779]!’

    CVII

    ‘I am held with the Abbot,’ said the Justice,
      ‘Both with cloth and fee.’--
    ‘Now, good Sir Sheriff, be my friend!’
      ‘Nay, nay, not I,’ said he.

    CVIII

    ‘Now, good Sir Abbot, be my friend,
      For thy courtesy,
    And hold my landès in thy hand
      Till I have made thee gree[780]

    CIX

    ‘And I will be thy true servànt
      And truly servè thee,
    Till ye have four hundred pound
      Of money good and free.’

    CX

    The Abbot sware a full great oath,
      ‘By Him that died on tree,
    Get thy landès where thou mayst,
      For thou gettest none of me!’

    CXI

    ‘By dear-worth God,’ then said the Knight,
      ‘That all this worldè wrought,
    But I have[781] my land again,
      Full dear it shall be bought.

    CXII

    ‘God, that was of a maiden born,
      Give us well to speed!
    For it is good to assay a friend
      Ere that a man have need.’

    CXIII

    The Abbot loathly on him gan look,
      And villainously him gan call;
    ‘Out,’ he said, ‘thou falsè Knight,
      Speed thee out of my hall!’

    CXIV

    ‘Thou liest,’ said the gentle Knight;
      ‘Abbot, in thy hall;
    Falsè Knight was I never,
      By God that made us all.’

    CXV

    Up then stood that gentle Knight,
      To the Abbot said he,
    ‘To suffer a knight to kneel so long,
      Thou canst[782] no courtesy.

    CXVI

    ‘In joustès and in tournaments
      Full far then have I be,
    And put myself as far in press[783]
      As any that ever I see.’

    CXVII

    ‘What will ye give more,’ said the Justice,
      ‘An the Knight shall make a release[784]?
    And ellès[785] dare I safely swear
      Ye hold never your land in peace.’

    CXVIII

    ‘An hundred pound,’ said the Abbot;
      The Justice said, ‘Give him two;’
    ‘Nay, by God,’ said the Knight,
      ‘Ye get not my land so.

    CXIX

    ‘Though ye would give a thousand more,
      Yet were ye never the nigher;
    Shall there never be mine heir
      Abbot, Justice, nor Friar.’

    CXX

    He started to a board anon,
      Till a table round,
    And here he shook out of a bag
      Even four hundred pound.

    CXXI

    ‘Have here thy gold, Sir Abbot,’ he said,
      ‘Which that thou lentest me;
    Hadst thou been courteous at my coming,
      I would have rewarded thee.’

    CXXII

    The Abbot sat still, and ate no more,
      For all his royal fare;
    He cast his head on his shouldèr,
      And fast began to stare.

    CXXIII

    ‘Take[786] me my gold again.’ he said,
      ‘Sir Justice, that I took thee.’--
    ‘Not a penny,’ said the Justice,
      ‘By Him that died on tree.’--

    CXXIV

    ‘Sir Abbot, and ye men of law,
      Now have I held my day;
    Now shall I have my land again,
      For aught that you can say.’

    CXXV

    The Knight out started of the door,
      Away was all his care,
    And on he put his good clothing.
      The other he left there.

    CXXVI

    He went him forth full merry singing,
      As men have told in tale;
    His Lady met him at the gate,
      At home in Uttersdale.

    CXXVII

    ‘Welcome, my lord,’ said his Lady;
      ‘Sir, lost is all your good?’--
    ‘Be merry, damè,’ said the Knight,
      ‘And pray for Robin Hood,

    CXXVIII

    ‘That ever his soulè be in bliss:
      He help me out of teen;
    Ne had not been[787] his kindèness,
      Beggars had we been.

    CXXIX

    ‘The Abbot and I accorded be,
      He is servèd of his pay;
    The goodè yeoman lent it me,
      As I came by the way.’

    CXXX

    This Knight then dwellèd fair at home,
      The soothè for to say,
    Till he had got four hundred pound,
      All ready for to pay.

    CXXXI

    He purvey’d him an hundred bows,
      The stringès well y-dight,
    An hundred sheaf of arrows good,
      The heads burnish’d full bright;

    CXXXII

    And every arrow an ellè long,
      With peacock well y-dight[788],
    Y-notchèd all with white silvèr;
      It was a seemly sight.

    CXXXIII

    He purvey’d him an hundred men,
      Well harness’d in that stead,
    And himself in that samè suit,
      And clothed in white and red.

    CXXXIV

    He bare a lancegay[789] in his hand,
      And a man led his mail[790],
    And roden[791] with a lightè song
      Unto Barnèsdale.

    CXXXV

    As he went at a bridge there was a wrestling,
      And there tarrièd was he,
    And there was all the best yeomen,
      Of all the west countrỳ.

    CXXXVI

    A full fair game there was upset,
      A white bull up y-pight[792];
    A great courser with saddle and bridle,
      With gold burnish’d full bright;

    CXXXVII

    A pair of gloves, a red gold ring,
      A pipe of wine, in good fay:
    What man beareth him best, i-wis,
      The prize shall bear away.

    CXXXVIII

    There was a yeoman in that place,
      And best worthy was he,
    And for he was far and frembd bestad[793],
      I-slain he should have be.

    CXXXIX

    The Knight had ruth of this yeoman.
      In place where that he stood,
    He said that yeoman should have no harm,
      For love of Robin Hood.

    CXL

    The Knight pressèd into the place,
      An hundred followed him free,
    With bows bent, and arrows sharp,
      For to shende[794] that company.

    CXLI

    They shoulder’d all, and made him room,
      To wete[795] what he would say,
    He took the yeoman by the hand
      And gave him all the play;

    CXLII

    He gave him five mark for his wine,
      There it lay on the mould,
    And bade it should be set a-broach,
      Drink who so would.

    CXLIII

    Thus long tarried this gentle Knight,
      Till that play was done ...
    So long abode Robin fasting,
      Three hours after the noon.


_The Third Fytte_

How Little John robbed the Sheriff of Nottingham and delivered him into
Robin Hood’s hands

    CXLIV

    Lithe and listen, gentlemen,
      All that now be here,
    Of Little John, that was the Knight’s man,
      Good mirth shall ye hear.

    CXLV

    It was upon a merry day,
      That young men would go shete[796];
    Little John fet[797] his bow anon,
      And said he would them meet.

    CXLVI

    Three times Little John shot about,
      And alway cleft the wand,
    The proud Sherìff of Nottingham
      By the marks gan stand.

    CXLVII

    The Sheriff swore a full great oath,
      ‘By Him that died on a tree,
    This man is the best archèr
      That yet saw I me.

    CXLVIII

    ‘Say me now, wight[798] young man,
      What is now thy name?
    In what country were thou born,
      And where is thy woning wane[799]?’--

    CXLIX

    ‘In Holderness I was bore,
      I-wis[800], all of my dame,
    Men call me Reynold Greenleaf,
      When I am at hame.’--

    CL

    ‘Say me, Reynold Greenleaf,
      Wilt thou dwell with me?
    And every year I will thee give
      Twenty mark to thy fee.’--

    CLI

    ‘I have a master,’ said Little John,
      ‘A courteous knight is he
    May ye get leave of him,
      The better may it be.’

    CLII

    The Sheriff got Little John
      Twelve months of the Knight,
    Therefore he gave him right anon
      A good horse and a wight.

    CLIII

    Now is Little John the Sheriff’s man,
      He give us well to speed,
    But alway thought Little John
      To quit him well his meed[801].

    CLIV

    ‘Now so God me help,’ said Little John,
      ‘And by my true lewtè[802],
    I shall be the worst servant to him
      That ever yet had he.’

    CLV

    It befell upon a Wednesday,
      The Sheriff on hunting was gone,
    And Little John lay in his bed,
      And was forgotten at home.

    CLVI

    Therefore he was fasting
      Till it was past the noon.
    ‘Good sir steward, I pray thee,
      Give me to dine,’ said Little John.

    CLVII

    ‘It is too long for Greenleaf,
      Fasting so long to be;
    Therefore I pray thee, steward,
      My dinner give thou me.’

    CLVIII

    ‘Shall thou never eat nor drink,’ said the steward,
      ‘Till my lord be come to town.’
    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Little John,
      ‘I had liefer to crack thy crown.’

    CLIX

    The butler was full uncourteous,
      There he stood on floor,
    He started to the buttery,
      And shut fast the door.

    CLX

    Little John gave the butler such a rap,
      His back yede[803] nigh in two:
    Tho’ he lived an hundred winter,
      The worse he should go.

    CLXI

    He spurn’d the door with his foot,
      It went up well and fine,
    And there he made a large livery[804]
      Both of ale and wine.

    CLXII

    ‘Sith[805] ye will not dine,’ said Little John,
      ‘I shall give you to drink,
    And though ye live an hundred winter,
      On Little John ye shall think.’

    CLXIII

    Little John ate, and Little John drank,
      The while that he wolde.
    The Sheriff had in his kitchen a cook,
      A stout man and a bold.

    CLXIV

    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said the cook,
      ‘Thou art a shrewd hind[806],
    In an household to dwell,
      For to ask thus to dine.’

    CLXV

    And there he lent[807] Little John,
      Good strokès three.
    ‘I make mine avow,’ said Little John,
      ‘These strokes liketh well me.

    CLXVI

    ‘Thou art a bold man and an hardy,
      And so thinketh me;
    And or I pass from this place,
      Assay’d better shalt thou be.’

    CLXVII

    Little John drew a good sword,
      The cook took another in hand;
    They thought nothing for to flee,
      But stiffly for to stand.

    CLXVIII

    There they fought sore together,
      Two mile way and more,
    Might neither other harm done,
      The mountenance[808] of an hour.

    CLXIX

    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Little John,
      ‘And by my true lewtè,
    Thou art one of the best swordsmen
      That ever yet saw I me.

    CLXX

    ‘Couldest thou shoot as well in a bow,
      To green-wood thou shouldest with me,
    And two times in the year thy clothing
      I-changèd should be;

    CLXXI

    ‘And every year of Robin Hood
      Twenty mark to thy fee.’--
    ‘Put up thy sword,’ said the cook,
      ‘And fellows will we be.’

    CLXXII

    Then he fette[809] to Little John
      The numbles of a doe,
    Good bread and full good wine,
      They ate and drank thereto.

    CLXXIII

    And when they had drunken well,
      Their troths together they plight,
    That they would be with Robin
      That ilk same day at night.

    CLXXIV

    They did them to the treasure-house,
      As fast as they might gone,
    The locks that were of good steel
      They broke them every one;

    CLXXV

    They took away the silver vessel,
      And all that they might get,
    Pieces, masars[810], and spoons,
      Would they none forget;

    CLXXVI

    Also they took the good pence,
      Three hundred pound and three;
    And did them straight to Robin Hood,
      Under the green-wood tree.

    CLXXVII

    ‘God thee save, my dear master,
      And Christ thee save and see!’
    And then said Robin to Little John,
      ‘Welcome might thou be;

    CLXXVIII

    ‘And also be that fair yeoman
      Thou bringest there with thee.
    What tidings from Nottingham
      Little John, tell thou me?’--

    CLXXIX

    ‘Well thee greeteth the proud Sheriff,
      And send thee here by me
    His cook and his silver vessel,
      And three hundred pound and three.’--

    CLXXX

    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
      ‘And to the Trinity,
    It was never by his good will,
      This good is come to me.’

    CLXXXI

    Little John him there bethought,
      On a shrewèd wile,
    Five mile in the forest he ran,
      Him happèd at his will.

    CLXXXII

    Then he met the proud Sheriff,
      Hunting with hound and horn,
    Little John cou’d[811] his courtesy,
      And kneelèd him beforn:

    CLXXXIII

    ‘God thee save, my dear master,
      And Christ thee save and see!’--
    ‘Reynold Greenleaf,’ said the Sheriff,
      ‘Where hast thou now be?’--

    CLXXXIV

    ‘I have been in this forest,
      A fair sight can I see,
    It was one of the fairest sights
      That ever yet saw I me;

    CLXXXV

    ‘Yonder I see a right fair hart,
      His colour is of green,
    Seven score of deer upon an herd
      Be with him all bedene[812];

    CLXXXVI

    ‘His tyndès[813] are so sharp, master,
      Of sixty and well mo,
    That I durst not shoot for dread
      Lest they would me sloo[814].’

    CLXXXVII

    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said the Sheriff,
      ‘That sight would I fain see.’
    ‘Busk you thitherward, my dear master,
      Anon, and wend with me.’

    CLXXXVIII

    The Sheriff rode, and Little John
      Of foot he was full smart,
    And when they came afore Robin:
      ‘Lo, here is the master hart!’

    CLXXXIX

    Still stood the proud Sheriff,
      A sorry man was he:
    ‘Woe worth thee, Reynold Greenleaf!
      Thou hast now betrayèd me.’

    CXC

    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Little John,
      ‘Master, ye be to blame,
    I was mis-served of my dinner,
      When I was with you at hame.’

    CXCI

    Soon he was to supper set,
      And servèd with silver white;
    And when the Sheriff saw his vessel,
      For sorrow he might not eat.

    CXCII

    ‘Make good cheer,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Sheriff, for charity!
    And for the love of Little John,
      Thy life is granted to thee.’

    CXCIII

    When they had suppèd well,
      The day was all agone,
    Robin commanded Little John
      To draw off his hosen and shoon,

    CXCIV

    His kirtle and his courtepy[815],
      That was furrèd well fine,
    And take him a green mantèl,
      To lap[816] his body therein.

    CXCV

    Robin commanded his wight young men,
      Under the green-wood tree,
    They shall lie in that same sort;
      That the Sheriff might them see.

    CXCVI

    All night lay that proud Sheriff,
      In his breech and in his shirt,
    No wonder it was in green-wood,
      Tho’ his sides do smerte[817].

    CXCVII

    ‘Make glad cheer,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Sheriff, for charity!
    For this is our ordèr, i-wis,
      Under the green-wood tree.’

    CXCVIII

    ‘This is harder order,’ said the Sheriff,
      ‘Than any anchor[818] or frere[819];
    For all the gold in merry England
      I would not long dwell here.’

    CXCIX

    ‘All these twelve months,’ said Robin
      ‘Thou shalt dwell with me;
    I shall thee teach, proud Sheriff,
      An outlaw for to be.’

    CC

    ‘Or I here another night lie,’ said the Sheriff,
      ‘Robin, now I pray thee,
    Smite off my head rather to-morne[820],
      And I forgive it thee.

    CCI

    ‘Let me go,’ then said the Sheriff,
      ‘For saint Charity!
    And I will be thy best friend
      That ever yet had thee.’

    CCII

    ‘Thou shalt swear me an oath,’ said Robin,
      ‘On my bright brand[821],
    Thou shalt never await[822] me scathe[823],
      By water nor by land.

    CCIII

    ‘And if thou find any of my men,
      By night or by day,
    Upon thine oath thou shalt swear,
      To help them that thou may.’

    CCIV

    Now has the Sheriff i-sworn his oath,
      And home he began to gone,
    He was as full of green-wood
      As ever was hip[824] of stone.


_The Fourth Fytte_

How Robin Hood was repaid his Loan

    CCV

    The Sheriff dwelled in Nottingham,
      He was fain that he was gone;
    And Robin and his merry men
      Went to wood anon.

    CCVI

    ‘Go we to dinner,’ said Little John:
      Robin Hood said ‘Nay;
    For I fear Our Lady be wroth with me,
      For she sent me not my pay.’

    CCVII

    ‘Have no doubt, master,’ said Little John;
      ‘Yet is not the sun at rest;
    For I dare say and safely swear,
      The Knight is true and trest[825].’

    CCVIII

    ‘Take thy bow in hande,’ said Robin,
      ‘Let Much wend with thee,
    And so shall William Scathèlock,
      And no man abide with me.

    CCIX

    ‘And walk ye up unto the Sayles,
      And so to Watling Street,
    And wait after some uncouth guest,
      Upchance ye may them meet.

    CCX

    ‘Whether he be a messenger,
      Or a man that mirthès can[826],
    Of my good he shall have some,
      If he be a poorè man.’

    CCXI

    Forth then started Little John,
      Half in tray and teen[827],
    And girt him with a full good sword,
      Under a mantle of green.

    CCXII

    They wenten up unto the Sayles,
      Those yeomen allè three;
    They lookèd east, they lookèd west,
      They mightè no man see.

    CCXIII

    But as they looked in Barnèsdale,
      By the highè-way,
    Then were they ware of a Black Monk[828],
      Upon a good palfrèy.

    CCXIV

    Then bespake him Little John,
      To Muchè gan he say:
    ‘I dare well lay my life to wed[829],
      That Monk hath brought our pay.

    CCXV

    ‘Make glad cheer,’ said Little John,
      ‘And dress your bows of yew,
    And look your hearts be seker and sad[830],
      Your strings trusty and true.

    CCXVI

    ‘The Monk hath two and fifty men,
      And seven somers[831] strong;
    There rideth no bishop in this land
      So royally along.

    CCXVII

    ‘Bretheren,’ said Little John,
      ‘Here are no more but three;
    But[832] we bring them to dinnèr,
      Our master we dare not see.

    CCXVIII

    ‘Bend your bows,’ said Little John,
      ‘Make all yon press[833] to stand;
    The foremost Monk, his life and death
      Is closèd in my hand.

    CCXIX

    ‘Abide, churl Monk!’ said Little John,
      ‘No further that thou wend;
    If thou dost, by dear-worth God,
      Thy death is in my hend[834].

    CCXX

    ‘And evil thrift[835] upon thy head,
      Right under thy hat’s band!
    For thou hast made our master wroth,
      He is so lang fastand.’

    CCXXI

    ‘Who is your master?’ said the Monk.--
      Little John said, ‘Robin Hood.’--
    ‘He is a strong thief,’ said the Monk,
      ‘Of him I never heard good.’

    CCXXII

    ‘Thou lìest,’ then said Little John,
      ‘And that shall ruè thee;
    He is a yeoman of the forest,
      To dine he hath bidden thee.’

    CCXXIII

    Much was ready with a bolt[836],
      Rathely[837] and anon,
    He set the Monk to-fore[838] the breast
      To the ground that he gan gon[839].

    CCXXIV

    Of two and fifty wight yeomen
      There abode not one,
    Save a little page and a groom
      To lead the somers on.

    CCXXV

    They brought the Monk to the lodgè door,
      Whether he were loath or lief[840],
    For to speak with Robin Hood,
      Maugre in his teeth[841].

    CCXXVI

    Robin did a-down his hood,
      The Monk when that he see;
    The Monk was not so courteous,
      His hood he lettè be.

    CCXXVII

    ‘He is a churl, by dear-worth God,’
      Then said Little John.
    ‘Thereof no force[842],’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘For courtesy can be none.’

    CCXXVIII

    ‘How many men,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Haddè this Monk, Johan?’--
    ‘Fifty and two when that we met,
      But many of them be gane.’

    CCXXIX

    ‘Let blow a horn,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘That fellowship may us know.’--
    Seven score of wight yeomen
      Came pricking on a row.

    CCXXX

    Each of them had a good mantèl
      Of scarlet and of ray[843];
    All they came to good Robin,
      To wit what he would say.

    CCXXXI

    They made the Monk to wash and wipe,
      And sit at his dinnere,
    Robin Hood and Little John
      They served him both in fere.

    CCXXXII

    ‘Do gladly, Monk,’ said Robin Hood;
      ‘Gramerci, sir,’ said he.
    ‘Where is your Abbey, when you are at home,
      And who is your avowè[844]?’

    CCXXXIII

    ‘Saint Mary’s Abbey,’ said the Monk,
      ‘Though I be simple here.’--
    ‘In what office?’ said Robin;
      ‘Sir, the High Cellerèr.’

    CCXXXIV

    ‘Ye be the more welcome,’ said Robin,
      ‘So ever mote I the[845]:
    Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
      ‘This Monk shall drink to me.

    CCXXXV

    ‘But I have great marvel,’ said Robin,
      ‘Of all this longè day;
    I dread Our Lady be wroth with me,
      She sent me not my pay.’

    CCXXXVI

    ‘Have no doubt, master,’ said Little John,
      ‘Ye have no need, I say,
    This Monk hath brought it, I dare well swear,
      For he is of her Abbèy.’

    CCXXXVII

    ‘And she was a borrow,’ said Robin,
      ‘Between a Knight and me,
    Of a little money that I him lent,
      Under the green-wood tree.

    CCXXXVIII

    ‘And if thou hast that silver brought,
      I pray thee let me see;
    And I shall helpè thee eftsoons[846],
      If thou have need to me.’

    CCXXXIX

    The Monk swore a full great oath,
      With a sorry cheer,
    ‘Of the borrowhood[847] thou speak’st to me
      Heard I never ere.’--

    CCXL

    ‘I makè mine avow to God,
      Monk, thou art to blame;
    For God is held a righteous Man,
      And so is eke his Dame[848].

    CCXLI

    ‘Thou toldest with thine ownè tongue,
      Thou mayst not sayè naye,
    How thou art her servant,
      And servest her every day.

    CCXLII

    ‘And thou art made her messenger,
      My money for to pay;
    Therefore I can thee morè thank
      Thou art come at thy day.

    CCXLIII

    ‘What is in your coffers?’ said Robin,
      ‘Truthè tell thou me.’--
    ‘Sir,’ he saidè, ‘twenty mark[849],
      All so mote I the.’

    CCXLIV

    ‘If there be no more,’ said Robin,
      ‘I will not one pennỳ;
    If thou hast myster[850] of any more,
      More I shall lend to thee.

    CCXLV

    ‘And if I find more,’ said Robin,
      ‘I-wis thou shall it forgone;
    For of thy spending-silver, Monk,
      Thereof will I right none.

    CCXLVI

    ‘Go now forth, Little John,
      The truthè tell thou me;
    If there be no more but twenty mark,
      No penny that I see.’

    CCXLVII

    Little John spread his mantle down,
      As he had done before,
    And he told out of the Monkès mail
      Eight hundred pound and more.

    CCXLVIII

    Little John let it lie full still,
      And went to his master in haste;
    ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘the Monk is true enough,
      Our Lady hath doubled your cast[851]!’--

    CCXLIX

    ‘I makè mine avow to God,
      Monk, what told I thee?
    Our Lady is the truest woman
      That ever found I me.

    CCL

    ‘By dear-worth God,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘To seek all England thorough,
    Yet found I never to my pay
      A muchè better borrow.

    CCLI

    ‘Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
      ‘And greet thy Lady hend[852],
    And if she have need to Robin Hood
      She shall him find a friend.

    CCLII

    ‘And if she need any more silvèr,
      Come thou again to me,
    And, by this token she hath me sent,
      She shall have suchè three.’

    CCLIII

    The Monk was going to Londonward,
      There to hold great moot[853],
    The Knight that rode so high on horse,
      To bring him under foot.

    CCLIV

    ‘Whither be ye away?’ said Robin.--
      ‘Sir, to manors in this londe,
    To reckon with our revès,
      That have done much wrong.’--

    CCLV

    ‘Come now forth, Little John,
      And hearken to my tale,
    A better yeoman I know none,
      To seek[854] a Monkès mail[855].’

    CCLVI

    ‘How much is in yon other forcèr[856]?
      The soothè must we see:’
    ‘By our Lady,’ then said the Monk,
      ‘That were no courtesy,

    CCLVII

    ‘A man to biddè to dinnèr,
      And sith[857] him beat and bind.’--
    ‘It is our old manner,’ said Robin,
      ‘To leave but little behind.’

    CCLVIII

    The Monk took the horse with spur,
      No longer would he abide;
    ‘Ask to drink,’ then said Robin,
      ‘Ere that ye further ride.’

    CCLIX

    ‘Nay, ’fore God,’ then said the Monk,
      ‘Me rueth I came so near;
    For better cheap[858] I might have dined
      In Blyth or Doncastere.’

    CCLX

    ‘Greet well your Abbot,’ said Robin,
      ‘And your prior, I you pray,
    And bid him send me such a Monk
      To dinner every day!’

    CCLXI

    Now lettè we that Monk be still,
      And speak we of that Knight:
    Yet he came to hold his day,
      The while that it was light.

    CCLXII

    He did him straight to Barnèsdale,
      Under the green-wood tree,
    And he found there Robin Hood,
      And all his merry meinèe.

    CCLXIII

    The Knight lit down off his good palfrèy,
      Robin when he gan see;
    Courteously he did a-down his hood,
      And set him on his knee.

    CCLXIV

    ‘God thee savè, Robin Hood,
      And all this company!’--
    ‘Welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
      Right welcome unto me.’

    CCLXV

    Then bespake him Robin Hood
      To that Knight so free:
    ‘What need driveth thee to greenè-wood?
      I pray, sir Knight, tell me.

    CCLXVI

    ‘And welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
      Why hast thou been so long?’--
    ‘For the Abbot and the High Justice
      Would have had my land with wrong.’

    CCLXVII

    ‘Hast thou thy land again?’ said Robin;
      ‘Truthè tell thou me.’--
    ‘Yea, ’fore God,’ said the Knight,
      ‘That thank I God and thee.

    CCLXVIII

    ‘But take no grief I have been so long;
      I came by a wrestèling,
    And there I holp a poor yeoman,
      With wrong was put behind.’

    CCLXIX

    ‘Nay, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Sir Knight, that thank I thee;
    What man that helpeth a good yeoman,
      His friend I willè be.’

    CCLXX

    ‘Have here four hundred pound,’ said the Knight,
      ‘The which ye lent to me;
    And here is also twenty mark
      For your courtesy.’

    CCLXXI

    ‘Nay, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Thou brook[859] it well for aye;
    For Our Lady, by her Cellarèr,
      Hath sent to me my pay.

    CCLXXII

    ‘And if I would it twicè take
      A shame it were to me;
    But truly now, thou gentle Knight,
      Welcome art thou to me.’

    CCLXXIII

    When Robin Hood had told his tale,
      He laugh’d and made good cheer.
    ‘By my truthè,’ said the Knight,
      ‘Your money is ready here.’

    CCLXXIV

    ‘Brook it well,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Thou gentle Knight so free;
    And welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
      Under my trystell-tree!

    CCLXXV

    ‘But what shall these bows do,’ said Robin,
      ‘And these arrows feather’d free?’--
    ‘With your will,’ then said the Knight,
       ‘A poor present to thee.’--

    CCLXXVI

    ‘Come now forth, Little John,
      And go to my treasurỳ,
    And bring me thence four hundred pound;
      The Monk overtold[860] it me.

    CCLXXVII

    ‘Have here four hundred pound,
      Thou gentle Knight and true,
    And buy thee horse and harness good,
      And giltè spurs all new.

    CCLXXVIII

    ‘And if thou fail any spending,
      Come to Robin Hood,
    And by my troth thou shalt none fail,
      While I have any good.

    CCLXXIX

    ‘And brook well thy four hundred pound,
      Which I lent to thee,
    And make thyself no more so bare,
      By the counsel of me.’

    CCLXXX

    Thus then holp him good Robin,
      The Knight all of his care:
    God, that sitt’st in heaven high,
      Grant us well to fare!


_The Fifth Fytte_

How at Archery in Nottingham Robin Hood was treacherously attacked, but
escaped into Sir Richard’s Castle

    CCLXXXI

    Now hath the Knight his leave i-take,
      And went him on his way;
    Robin Hood and his merry men
      Dwelt still full many a day.

    CCLXXXII

    Lithe and listen, Gentlemen,
      And hearken what I shall say,
    How the proud Sheriff of Nottingham,
      Did cry a full fair play;

    CCLXXXIII

    That all the best archers of the North
      Should come upon a day,
    ‘And he that shooteth alder-best[861]
      The game shall bear away.

    CCLXXXIV

    ‘He that shooteth alder-best,
      Furthest, fair, and law[862],
    At a pair of fynly[863] butts,
      Under the green-wood shaw,

    CCLXXXV

    ‘A right good arrow he shall have,
      The shaft of silver white,
    The head and feathers of rich red gold,
      In England is none like.’

    CCLXXXVI

    This then heardè good Robin,
      Under his trystell-tree:
    ‘Make you ready, ye wight young men;
      That shooting will I see.

    CCLXXXVII

    ‘Busk you, my merry young men,
      Ye shall go with me;
    And I will wete[864] the Sheriff’s faith,
      True an if he be.

    CCLXXXVIII

    When they had their bows i-bent,
      Their tackles[865] feather’d free,
    Seven score of wight young men
      Stood by Robin’s knee.

    CCLXXXIX

    When they came to Nottingham,
      The butts were fair and long;
    Many was the bold archèr
      That shot with bowè strong.

    CCXC

    ‘There shall but six shoot with me,
      The other shall keep my heed,
    And stand with good bowès bent
      That I be not deceived.’

    CCXCI

    The fourth outlaw his bow gan bend,
      And that was Robin Hood,
    And that beheld the proud Sheriff,
      All by the butt he stood.

    CCXCII

    Thrice Robin shot about,
      And alway he sliced the wand,
    And so did good Gilbert,
      With the white hand.

    CCXCIII

    Little John and good Scathelock
      Were archers good and free;
    Little Much and good Reynold,
      The worst would they not be.

    CCXCIV

    When they haddè shot about,
      These archers fair and good,
    Evermore was the best,
      For soothè, Robin Hood.

    CCXCV

    Him was deliver’d the good arròw,
      For best worthy was he;
    He took the gift so courteously,
      To greenè-wood would he.

    CCXCVI

    They crièd out on Robin Hood
      And great horns gan they blow:
    ‘Woe worth thee[866], treason!’ said Robin,
      ‘Full evil thou art to know.

    CCXCVII

    ‘And woe be thee, thou proud Sheriff,
      Thus gladding thy guest;
    Otherwise, thou behotè[867] me
      In yonder wild forèst.

    CCXCVIII

    ‘But had I thee in greenè-wood,
      Under my trystell-tree,
    Thou shouldest leave me a better wed[868]
      Than thy true lewtè.’

    CCXCIX

    Full many a bowè there was bent,
      And arrows let they glide;
    Many a kirtle there was rent,
      And hurt full many a side.

    CCC

    The outlaws’ shottè was so strong
      That no man might them drive.
    And the proudè Sheriff’s men
      They fled away full blive[869].

    CCCI

    Robin saw the bushment[870] broke,
      In green-wood he would be;
    Many an arrow there was shot
      Among that company.

    CCCII

    Little John was hurt full sore,
      With an arrow in his knee,
    That he might neither go nor ride;
      It was full great pity.

    CCCIII

    ‘Master,’ then said Little John,
      ‘If ever thou lovest me,
    And for that ilk Lordès love,
      That died upon a tree,

    CCCIV

    ‘And for the meeds[871] of my service,
      That I have servèd thee,
    Let never the proud Sheriff
      Alive now findè me;

    CCCV

    ‘But take out thy brown sword,
      And smite all off my head
    And give me wounds dead[872] and wide,
      No life on me be left.’

    CCCVI

    ‘I would not that,’ said Robin,
      ‘John, that thou were slawe,
    For all the gold in merry England,
      Though it lay now on a rawe[873].’

    CCCVII

    ‘God forbid,’ said little Much,
      ‘That died on a tree,
    That thou shouldest, Little John,
      Part our company.’

    CCCVIII

    Up Robin took him on his back,
      And bare him well a mile;
    Many a time he laid him down,
      And shot another while.

    CCCIX

    Then was there a fair castèll,
      A little within the wood;
    Double-ditch’d it was about,
      And wallèd, by the rood.

    CCCX

    And there dwelt that gentle Knight,
      Sir Richard at the Lee,
    That Robin haddè lent his good,
      Under the green-wood tree.

    CCCXI

    In he took good Robin,
      And all his company:
    ‘Welcome be thou, Robin Hood,
      Welcome art thou to me;

    CCCXII

    ‘And much I thank thee of thy comfort,
      And of thy courtesy,
    And of thy great kindness,
      Under the green-wood tree;

    CCCXIII

    ‘I love no man in all this world
      So much as I do thee;
    For all the proud Sheriff of Nottingham,
      Right here shalt thou be.

    CCCXIV

    ‘Shut the gates and draw the bridge,
      And let no man come in,
    And arm you well, and make you ready,
      And to the walls ye win[874].

    CCCXV

    ‘For one thing, Robin, I thee behote[875],
      I swear by Saint Quintìn,
    These twelve days thou wonest[876] with me,
      To sup, eat, and dine.’

    CCCXVI

    Boards were laid, and cloths spread,
      Readily and anon;
    Robin Hood and his merry men
      To meat gan they gone.


_The Sixth Fytte_

How Sir Richard was cast by the Sheriff into Prison, and rescued by
Robin Hood

    CCCXVII

    Lithe and listen, Gentlemen,
      And hearken to my song;
    How the proud Sheriff of Nottingham
      And men of armès strong

    CCCXVIII

    Full fast came to the High Sheriff,
      The country up to rout[877],
    And they beset the Knight’s castell,
      The wallès all about.

    CCCXIX

    The proudè Sheriff loud gan cry,
      And said, ‘Thou traitor Knight,
    Thou keep’st here the King’s enemies,
      Against the law and right.’--

    CCCXX

    ‘Sir, I will avow that I have done,
      The deeds that here be dight[878],
    Upon all the lands that I have,
      As I am a true knight.

    CCCXXI

    ‘Wend forth, sirs, on your way,
      And doth no more to me,
    Till ye wit our King his will
      What he will say to thee.’

    CCCXXII

    The Sheriff thus had his answère,
      Without any leasing[879];
    Forth he yede[880] to London town,
      All for to tell our King.

    CCCXXIII

    There he told him of that Knight,
      And eke of Robin Hood,
    And also of the bold archers
      That were so noble and good.

    CCCXXIV

    ‘He would avow that he had done,
      To maintain the outlaws strong,
    He would be lord, and set you at nought,
      In all the north londe.’

    CCCXXV

    ‘I will be at Nottingham,’ said our King,
      ‘Within this fortènight,
    And take I willè Robin Hood,
      And so I will that Knight.

    CCCXXVI

    ‘Go home, thou proud Sheriff,
      And do as I bid thee,
    And ordain good archers enough,
      Of all the wide countrey.’

    CCCXXVII

    The Sheriff had his leave i-take,
      And went him on his way;
    And Robin Hood to green-wood went
      Upon a certain day;

    CCCXXVIII

    And Little John was whole[881] of the arrow,
      That shot was in his knee,
    And did him straight to Robin Hood,
      Under the green-wood tree.

    CCCXXIX

    Robin Hood walked in the forest
      Under the leavès green;
    The proud Sheriff of Nottingham
      Thereof he had great teen.

    CCCXXX

    The Sheriff there fail’d of Robin Hood,
      He might not have his prey;
    Then he awaited this gentle Knight,
      Both by night and day.

    CCCXXXI

    Ever he waited that gentle Knight,
      Sir Richard at the Lee,
    As he went hawking by the river side,
      And let his hawkès flee.

    CCCXXXII

    Took he there this gentle Knight,
      With men of armès strong,
    And led him to Nottingham-ward,
      Bound both foot and hond.

    CCCXXXIII

    The Sheriff swore a full great oath,
      By Him that died on a tree,
    He had liefer than an hundred pound,
      That Robin Hood had he.

    CCCXXXIV

    This heard the Knightès wife,
      A fair lady and a free;
    She set her on a good palfrey,
      To green-wood anon rode she.

    CCCXXXV

    When she came in the forèst,
      Under the green-wood tree,
    Found she there Robin Hood
      And all his fair meinèe.

    CCCXXXVI

    ‘God thee save, thou good Robin,
      And all thy company;
    For Ourè dearè Lady’s sake,
      A boon grant thou me!

    CCCXXXVII

    ‘Let thou never my wedded Lord
      Shamefully slayen be;
    He is fast bound at Nottingham,
      For the love of thee.’

    CCCXXXVIII

    Anon then said good Robin,
      To that lady free,
    ‘What man hath your lord i-take?’--
      ‘The proud Sheriff,’ then said she.

    CCCXXXIX

    ‘The proud Sheriff hath him i-take
      Forsooth as I thee say;
    He is not yet three miles,
      Passèd on his way.’

    CCCXL

    Up then started good Robin
      As a man that had been wood[882];
    ‘Buskè you, my merry men,
      For Him that died on rood!

    CCCXLI

    ‘And he that this sorròw forsaketh,
      By Him that died on a tree,
    And by Him that all things maketh,
      No longer shall dwell with me.’

    CCCXLII

    Soon there were good bows y-bent,
      More than seven score;
    Hedge nor ditch they sparèd none
      That was them before.

    CCCXLIII

    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
      ‘The Knight would I fain see,
    And if I may him takè,
      I-quit then shall he be.’

    CCCXLIV

    And when they came to Nottingham,
      They walkèd in the street;
    And with the proud Sheriff i-wis
      Soonè gan they meet.

    CCCXLV

    ‘Abide, thou proud Sheriff,’ he said,
      ‘Abide, and speak with me;
    Of some tidings of our King
      I would fain hear of thee.

    CCCXLVI

    ‘This seven year, by dear-worthy God,
      Ne yede I so fast on foot,
    I make mine avow to God, thou proud Sheriff,
      It is not for thy good.’

    CCCXLVII

    Robin bent a full good bow,
      An arrow he drew at will;
    He hit so the proud Sheriff,
      On the ground he lay full still.

    CCCXLVIII

    And or he might up arise,
      On his feet to stand,
    He smote off the Sheriff’s head,
      With his bright brand.

    CCCXLIX

    ‘Lie thou there, thou proud Sheriff;
      Evil mote thou thrive:
    There might no man to thee trust
      The while thou wert alive.’

    CCCL

    His men drew out their brightè swords
      That were so sharp and keen,
    And laiden on the Sheriff’s men,
      And drave them down bidene[883].

    CCCLI

    Robin started to the Knight,
      And cut in two his band,
    And took[884] him in his hand a bow,
      And bade him by him stand.

    CCCLII

    ‘Leave thy horsè thee behind,
      And learnè for to ren[885];
    Thou shalt with me to greenè-wood,
      Through mire, moss, and fen.

    CCCLIII

    ‘Thou shalt with me to greenè-wood,
      Without any leasing,
    Till that I have got us grace
      Of Edward, our comely King.’


_The Seventh Fytte_

How the King rode out to punish Robin Hood, and how he was entertained

    CCCLIV

    The King came to Nottingham,
      With knights in great array,
    For to take that gentle Knight
      And Robin, if he may.

    CCCLV

    He askèd men of that country
      After Robin Hood,
    And eke after that gentle Knight
      That was so bold and good.

    CCCLVI

    When they had him told the case
      Our King understood their tale,
    And he seizèd in his hand
      The Knightès landès all.

    CCCLVII

    All the pass[886] of Lancashire
      He went both far and near,
    Till he came to Plompton Park,
      He fail’d many of his deer.

    CCCLVIII

    There[887] our King was wont to see
      Herdès many one,
    He could unneth[888] find one deer
      That bare any good horn.

    CCCLIX

    The King was wonder wroth withall,
      And swore by the Trinity,
    ‘I would I haddè Robin Hood,
      With eyes I might him see.

    CCCLX

    ‘And he that would smite off the Knightès head,
      And bring it unto me
    He shall have the Knightès lands,
      Sir Richard at the Lee.

    CCCLXI

    ‘I give it him with my chartèr,
      And seal it with my hand,
    To have and hold for evermore
      In all merry England.’

    CCCLXII

    Then bespake a fair old Knight
      That was true in his fay[889]:
    ‘Ah! my liegè lord the King,
      One word I shall you say.

    CCCLXIII

    ‘There is no man in this country
      May have the Knightès lands,
    While Robin Hood may ride or go,
      And bear a bow in his hands.

    CCCLXIV

    ‘That he ne shall not lose his head,
      The best ball in his hood;
    Give it no man, my lord the King,
      That ye will[890] any good.’

    CCCLXV

    Half a year dwelt our comely King
      In Nottingham, and more;
    Could he not hear of Robin Hood,
      In what country he wore.

    CCCLXVI

    But alway wentè good Robin
      By halk[891] and eke by hill,
    And alway slew the Kingès deer,
      And wielded them at will.

    CCCLXVII

    Then bespake a proud forstèr[892],
      That stood by our Kingès knee:
    ‘If ye will see good Robin Hood,
      Ye must do after me.

    CCCLXVIII

    ‘Take five of the bestè knights
      That be in yourè lede[893],
    And walkè down by yon Abbèy,
      And get you monkès weed.

    CCCLXIX

    ‘And I will be your leadès-man[894],
      And leadè you the way,
    And ere ye come to Nottingham
      Mine head then dare I lay

    CCCLXX

    ‘That ye shall meet with good Robin,
      Alive if that he be;
    Ere ye come to Nottingham
      With eyes ye shall him see.’

    CCCLXXI

    Full hastily our King was dight,
      So were his knightès five.
    Each of them in monkès weed,
      And hasted thither blive.

    CCCLXXII

    Our King was great above his cowl,
      A broad hat on his crown,
    Right as he were abbot-like,
      They rode into the town.

    CCCLXXIII

    Stiff boots our King had on,
      Forsooth as I you say;
    Singing he rode to the greenè-wood,
      The convent[895] was clothed in gray.

    CCCLXXIV

    His mail-horse[896] and his great somèrs
      Followed our King behind,
    Till they came to greenè-wood
      A mile under the lind[897].

    CCCLXXV

    There they met with good Robin,
      Standing on the way,
    And so did many a bold archèr,
      For sooth as I you say.

    CCCLXXVI

    Robin took the Kingè’s horse
      Hastily in that stide[898],
    And said, ‘Sir Abbot, by your leave,
      A while ye must abide.

    CCCLXXVII

    ‘We be yeomen of this forèst
      Under the green-wood tree;
    We livè by our Kingès deer,
      None other shift have we.

    CCCLXXVIII

    ‘And ye have churches and rentès both
      And gold full great plentỳ,
    Give us some of your spending
      For saintè charity.’

    CCCLXXIX

    Then bespake our comely King,
      Anon then saidè he,
    ‘I have brought no more to greenè-wood
      But forty pound with me.

    CCCLXXX

    ‘I have lain at Nottingham
      This fortnight with our King,
    And spent I have full muchè good
      On many a great lording[899].

    CCCLXXXI

    ‘And I have but forty pound,
      No more I have with me:
    But if I had an hundred pound,
      I vouch it half on thee.’

    CCCLXXXII

    Robin took the forty pound,
      And departed it in twain;
    Halfen-deal[900] he gave his men,
      And bade them be full fain.

    CCCLXXXIII

    Full courteously Robin gan say,
      ‘Sir, this for your spending!
    We shall meet another day.’--
      ‘Gramerci!’ said our King.

    CCCLXXXIV

    ‘But well thee greeteth Edward our King,
      And sent to thee his seal,
    And biddeth thee come to Nottingham,
      Both to meat and meal.’

    CCCLXXXV

    He took out the broadè targe[901],
      And soon he let him see;
    Robin could his courtesy,
      And set him on his knee.

    CCCLXXXVI

    ‘I love no man in all the world
      So well as I do my King;
    Welcome is my lordès seal;
      And, Monk, for thy tiding.

    CCCLXXXVII

    ‘Sir Abbot, for thy tidings,
      To-day thou shalt dine with me,
    For the lovè of my King,
      Under my trystell-tree.’

    CCCLXXXVIII

    Forth he led our comely King
      Full fairè by the hand;
    Many a deer there was slain,
      They were full fast dightànd[902].

    CCCLXXXIX

    Robin took a full great horn,
      And loudè he gan blow;
    Seven score of wight young men
      Came ready on a row.

    CCCXC

    All they kneelèd on their knee
      Full fair before Robin;
    The King said himself until,
      And swore by Saint Austìn,

    CCCXCI

    ‘Here is a wonder seemly sight;
      Me thinketh, by God’s pine[903],
    His men are more at his bidding
      Than my men be at mine.’

    CCCXCII

    Full hastily was their dinner dight,
      And thereto gan they gon;
    They servèd our King with all their might,
      Both Robin and Little John.

    CCCXCIII

    Anon before our King was set
      The fattè venisoun,
    The good white bread, the good red wine,
      Thereto fine ale and brown.

    CCCXCIV

    ‘Make good cheer,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Abbot, for charity,
    And for this ilkè tiding, Sir,
      Blessed mote thou be.

    CCCXCV

    ‘Now shalt thou see what life we lead,
      Ere thou hennès[904] wend;
    Then thou mayst inform our King,
      When ye together lend[905].’

    CCCXCVI

    Up they started all in haste,
      Their bows were smartly bent;
    Our King was never so aghast,
      He weened to have been shent[906].

    CCCXCVII

    Two yards[907] there were up set,
      Thereto gan they gang;
    By fifty paces, our King said,
      The markès were too lang.

    CCCXCVIII

    On every side a rose garlànd,
      They shot under the line:
    ‘Who fails of the garland,’ said Robin,
      ‘His tackle he shall tine[908],

    CCCXCIX

    ‘And yield it unto his mastèr,
      Be it never so fine;
    For no man will I spare,’ he said,
      ‘So drink I ale or wine;

    CCCC

    ‘And bear a buffet on his head
      I-wis aright all bare:’
    And all that fell to Robin’s lot
      He smote them wonder sair.

    CCCCI

    Twice Robin shot about,
      And ever he cleft the wand,
    And so did eke the good Gilbèrt
      With the white hand.

    CCCCII

    Little John and good Scathèlock,
      For nothing would they spare;
    When they fail’d of the garlànd
      Robin smote them sair.

    CCCCIII

    At the last shot that Robin shot,
      For all his friendès fare,
    Yet he fail’d of the garlànd
      Three fingers and mair.

    CCCCIV

    Then bespake him good Gilbèrt,
      And thus he gan him say:
    ‘Master,’ he said, ‘your tackle is lost,
      Stand forth and take your pay.’

    CCCCV

    ‘If it be so,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘That may no better be,
    Sir Abbot, I deliver thee mine arrow,
      I pray thee, serve thou me.’

    CCCCVI

    ‘It falls[909] not for mine order,’ said our King,
      ‘Robin, by thy leave,
    For to smite no good yeomàn,
      For doubt I should him grieve.’

    CCCCVII

    ‘Smite on boldly,’ said Robin,
      ‘I give thee largè leave.’
    Anon our King with that same word
      He folded up his sleeve,

    CCCCVIII

    And such a buffet he gave Robin,
      To ground he yede full near:
    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
      ‘Thou art a stalwart frere[910].

    CCCCIX

    ‘There is pith in thine arm,’ said Robin,
      ‘I trow thou canst well shoot.’
    Thus our King and Robin Hood
      Together then they met.

    CCCCX

    Robin beheld our comely King
      Wistly in the face,
    So did Sir Richard at the Lee,
      And knelt down in that place.

    CCCCXI

    And so did all the wild outlàws,
      When they saw them kneel:
    ‘My lord the King of Engèland,
      Now I know you weel!’

    CCCCXII

    ‘Mercy then, Robin,’ said our King,
      ‘Under your trystell-tree,
    Of thy goodness and thy grace,
      For my men and me!’

    CCCCXIII

    ‘Yes, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘And also God me save!
    I ask mercy, my lord the King,
      And for my men I crave.’

    CCCCXIV

    ‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said our King,
      ‘And thereto sent I me,
    With that thou leave the greenè-wood,
      And all thy company;

    CCCCXV

    ‘And come home, sir, unto my court,
      And there dwell with me.’--
    ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
      ‘And right so shall it be.

    CCCCXVI

    ‘I will come unto your court,
      Your service for to see,
    And bringè with me of my men
      Seven score and three.

    CCCCXVII

    ‘But me like[911] well your service,
      I will come again full soon,
    And shooten at the dunnè deer,
      As I am wont to doon.’


_The Eighth Fytte_

How Robin Hood lived a while at the King’s Court, but returned to the
Green-wood

    CCCCXVIII

    ‘Hast thou any green cloth?’ said our King,
      ‘That thou wilt sell now to me?’--
    ‘Yea, ’fore God,’ said Robin,
      ‘Thirty yards and three.’

    CCCCXIX

    ‘Robin,’ said our King,
      ‘Now pray I thee,
    To sell me some of that cloth,
      To me and my meinèe.’

    CCCCXX

    ‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said Robin,
      ‘Or else I were a fool;
    Another day ye will me clothe,
      I trow, against the Yule.’

    CCCCXXI

    The King cast off his coat then,
      A green garment he did on,
    And every knight had so, i-wis,
      They clothèd them full soon.

    CCCCXXII

    When they were clothed in Lincoln green,
      They cast away their gray.
    ‘Now we shall to Nottingham,’
      All thus our King gan say.

    CCCCXXIII

    Their bows bent and forth they went,
      Shooting all in fere,
    Toward the town of Nottingham,
      Outlaws as they were.

    CCCCXXIV

    Our King and Robin rode together
      Forsooth as I you say,
    And they shot pluck-buffet[912],
      As they went by the way;

    CCCCXXV

    And many a buffet our King won,
      Of Robin Hood that day:
    And nothing spared good Robin
      Our King in his pay.

    CCCCXXVI

    ‘So God me help,’ said our King,
      ‘Thy game is nought to lere[913],
    I should not get a shot of thee,
      Though I shot all this year.’

    CCCCXXVII

    All the people of Nottingham
      They stood and beheld,
    They saw nothing but mantles of green
      That cover’d all the felde;

    CCCCXXVIII

    Then every man to other gan say,
      ‘I dread our King be slone;
    Come Robin Hood to the town, i-wis,
      On life he leaveth not one.’

    CCCCXXIX

    Full hastily they began to flee,
      Both yeoman and knaves,
    The old wives that might evil go,
      They hippèd[914] on their staves.

    CCCCXXX

    The King laughed full fast,
      And commanded them again;
    When they saw our comely King,
      I-wis they were full fain.

    CCCCXXXI

    They ate and drank, and made them glad,
      And sang with notès high.
    Then bespake our comely King
      To Sir Richard at the Lee:

    CCCCXXXII

    He gave him there his land again,
      A good man he bade him be.
    Robin thanked our comely King,
      And set him on his knee.

    CCCCXXXIII

    Robin had dwelt in the Kingès court
      But twelvè months and three,
    That he had spent an hundred pound,
      And all his mennès fee.

    CCCCXXXIV

    In every place where Robin came,
      Evermore he laid down[915]
    Both for knightès and for squires,
      To get him great renown.

    CCCCXXXV

    By then[916] the year was all agone
      He had no man but twain,
    Little John and good Scathèlock
      With him all for to gane.

    CCCCXXXVI

    Robin saw the young men shoot
      Full far upon a day;
    ‘Alas!’ then said good Robin Hood,
      ‘My wealth is went away.

    CCCCXXXVII

    ‘Sometime I was an archer good,
      A stiff and eke a strong;
    I was counted the best archèr
      That was in merry Englond.

    CCCCXXXVIII

    ‘Alas!’ then said good Robin Hood,
      ‘Alas and well-a-way!
    If I dwell longer with the King,
      Sorrow will me slay.’

    CCCCXXXIX

    Forth then wentè Robin Hood
      Till he came to our King:
    ‘My lord the King of Engèland,
      Grant me mine asking!

    CCCCXL

    ‘I made a chapel in Barnèsdale
      That seemly is to see,
    It is of Mary Magdalen,
      And thereto would I be.

    CCCCXLI

    ‘I might never in this seven night
      No timè sleep nor wink,
    Neither all these seven days
      Neither eat nor drink.

    CCCCXLII

    ‘Me longeth sore to Barnèsdale,
      I may not be therefro[917];
    Barefoot and woolward[918] I have hight[919]
      Thither for to go.’

    CCCCXLIII

    ‘If it be so,’ then said our King,
      ‘It may no better be;
    Seven night I give thee leave,
      No longer, to dwell from me.’

    CCCCXLIV

    ‘Gramerci, lord,’ then said Robin,
      And set him on his knee:
    He took his leave full courteously,
      To green-wood then went he.

    CCCCXLV

    When he came to greenè-wood
      In a merry mornìng,
    There he heard the notès small
      Of birds merry singìng.

    CCCCXLVI

    ‘It is far gone,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘That I was latest here;
    Me list[920] a little for to shoot
      At the dunnè deer.’

    CCCCXLVII

    Robin slew a full great hart;
      His horn then gan he blow,
    That all the outlaws of that forèst
      That horn they couldè know,

    CCCCXLVIII

    And them together gatherèd
      In a little throw[921];
    Seven score of wight young men
      Came ready on a row,

    CCCCXLIX

    And fairè didden off their hoods,
      And set them on their knee:
    ‘Welcome,’ they said. ‘our dear mastèr,
      Under this green-wood tree!’

    CCCCL

    Robin dwelt in greenè-wood
      Twenty year and two;
    For all dread of Edward our King,
      Again[922] would he not go.

    CCCCLI

    Yet he was beguiled, i-wis,
      Through a wicked woman,
    The prioress of Kirksley,
      That nigh was of his kin,

    CCCCLII

    For the love of a knight,
      Sir Roger of Doncastèr,
    That was her own special;
      Full evil might they fare!

    CCCCLIII

    They took together their counsel
      Robin Hood for to sle,
    And how they might best do that deed,
      His banis[923] for to be.

    CCCCLIV

    Then bespake good Robin,
      In place where as he stood,
    ‘To-morrow I must to Kirksley,
      Craftily[924] to be letten blood.’

    CCCCLV

    Sir Roger [and the prioress
      A springe[925] for him did] lay,
    And there they betray’d good Robin Hood,
      Through their falsè play.

    CCCCLVI

    Christ have mercy on his soul,
      That died upon the rood!
    For he was a good outlàw,
      And did poor men much good.

FOOTNOTES:

[707] Meiny = retinue.

[708] Lithe = hearken.

[709] Barnèsdale = a forest region between Pontefract and Doncaster.

[710] groom = man.

[711] lest = lust, desire.

[712] uncouth = unknown, strange.

[713] were = might be.

[714] alder = of all.

[715] doubt = fear.

[716] reave = plunder.

[717] force = matter, account.

[718] husband = husbandman.

[719] shaw = grove.

[720] lere = learn.

[721] far days = late in the day.

[722] the Sayles = a small farm near Pontefract.

[723] Watling Street = the great North road.

[724] Upchance = perchance.

[725] dight = prepared.

[726] dernè = hidden, retired.

[727] street = road.

[728] semblaunt = aspect.

[729] And set him, &c. = and knelt down.

[730] Hendè = gracious.

[731] fere = company.

[732] Blyth = near E. Retford.

[733] careful cheer = sad countenance.

[734] leer = cheek.

[735] numbles = inwards, tripe.

[736] brere = briar.

[737] dear-worth = precious.

[738] let = desist.

[739] have part of thee = side with thee, aid thee.

[740] counsel = secret.

[741] of force = by force.

[742] of yeomanry = from the yeoman class.

[743] a sorry husband = a wretched manager.

[744] okerer = usurer.

[745] lecher = an unchaste man.

[746] disgrate = fallen in fortune.

[747] kenn’d = knew.

[748] lorn = lost.

[749] set to wed = put to pledge, mortgaged.

[750] told = counted.

[751] fall of = become of.

[752] busk = make ready to go.

[753] raw = row.

[754] borrows = sureties.

[755] Do way thy japès = away with thy jests.

[756] to = for.

[757] shope = created.

[758] But if = unless.

[759] lap = wrap.

[760] mete = meted, measured.

[761] met = measured.

[762] palfrey = a saddle-horse.

[763] teen = trouble.

[764] knave = servant.

[765] come = came.

[766] But = unless.

[767] fee = property.

[768] ilkè = same.

[769] shand = shame.

[770] in my beard = contradicting, or thwarting me.

[771] deemèd = judged.

[772] wonder sore = monstrous severely.

[773] Until = unto.

[774] corsèd = bodied.

[775] salued = saluted.

[776] shrewd = cursed.

[777] But = if not.

[778] fend = defend.

[779] fone = foes.

[780] gree = satisfaction.

[781] But I have = unless I have.

[782] canst = knowest.

[783] put myself ... in press = adventured myself.

[784] release = quittance.

[785] ellès = else.

[786] Take = give.

[787] Ne had not been = had it not been for.

[788] With peacock ... y-dight = fitted with peacock feathers.

[789] lancegay = a javelin-lance.

[790] his mail = his bag or trunk.

[791] roden = they rode.

[792] y-pight = placed, fixed.

[793] far and frembd bestad = in the plight of one from far and a
stranger.

[794] shende = shame.

[795] wete = know.

[796] shete = shoot.

[797] fet = fetched.

[798] wight = strong, brave.

[799] woning wane = usual dwelling-place.

[800] I-wis = assuredly.

[801] meed = reward.

[802] lewtè = loyalty.

[803] yede = went.

[804] livery = allowance of food.

[805] Sith = since.

[806] hind = knave, servant.

[807] lent = gave.

[808] mountenance = extent, space.

[809] fette = fetched.

[810] masars = maple-bowls.

[811] cou’d = knew.

[812] bedene = in company, together.

[813] tyndès = tines, antlers.

[814] sloo = slay.

[815] courtepy = a short coat or cloak.

[816] lap = wrap.

[817] smerte = smart.

[818] anchor = hermit.

[819] frere = friar.

[820] to-morne = to-morrow.

[821] brand = sword.

[822] await = plan, plot.

[823] scathe = harm.

[824] hip = the fruit of the wild rose.

[825] trest = trusty.

[826] that mirthès can = that can crack a joke.

[827] tray and teen = grief and trouble.

[828] a Black Monk = a Benedictine.

[829] wed = wager.

[830] seker and sad = sure and steady.

[831] somers = pack-horses.

[832] But = unless.

[833] press = crowd.

[834] hend = hands.

[835] thrift = thriving, luck.

[836] bolt = a blunt arrow.

[837] Rathely = quickly.

[838] set ... to-fore = hit upon.

[839] gan gon = did go.

[840] lief = glad.

[841] Maugre in his teeth = in spite of him.

[842] no force = no matter.

[843] ray = striped cloth.

[844] avowè = founder, patron.

[845] So ... mote I the = so may I prosper.

[846] eftsoons = soon.

[847] borrowhood = surety.

[848] Dame = Mother.

[849] mark = 13_s._ 4_d._

[850] myster = need.

[851] cast = throw, as in dice.

[852] hend = gracious.

[853] moot = meeting, assembly.

[854] seek = search.

[855] mail = wallet, bag.

[856] forcèr = coffer, strong-box.

[857] sith = then.

[858] For better cheap = more cheaply.

[859] brook = enjoy, use.

[860] overtold = counted over.

[861] alder-best = best of all.

[862] law = low.

[863] fynly = goodly.

[864] wete = know.

[865] tackles = arrows.

[866] worth thee = be to thee.

[867] behotè = didst promise.

[868] wed = pledge, security.

[869] blive = quickly.

[870] bushment = ambush.

[871] meeds = wages.

[872] dead = certain, sure.

[873] rawe = row.

[874] win = go, attain.

[875] behote = promise.

[876] wonest = dwellest.

[877] up to rout = to assemble in a band, to call to arms.

[878] dight = done, performed.

[879] leasing = lying.

[880] yede = went.

[881] whole = healed.

[882] wood = furious, mad.

[883] bidene = together.

[884] took = gave.

[885] ren = run.

[886] pass = limits, extent.

[887] There = where.

[888] unneth = scarcely.

[889] fay = faith.

[890] That ye will = to whom you wish.

[891] halk = nook, hiding-place.

[892] forstèr = forester.

[893] lede = following, retinue.

[894] leadès-man = guide.

[895] convent = company of monks.

[896] mail-horse = baggage-horse.

[897] lind = linden, lime tree.

[898] stide = stead, place.

[899] lording = gentleman.

[900] Halfen-deal = half.

[901] targe = disk (seal).

[902] dightànd = making preparations.

[903] pine = pain, passion.

[904] hennès = hence.

[905] lend = dwell.

[906] shent = put to shame, hurt.

[907] yards = rods.

[908] tine = forfeit.

[909] falls = is proper.

[910] frere = friar.

[911] But me like = unless I like.

[912] pluck-buffet = ‘app. a competition between archers, in which he
who missed or failed “caught” a buffet from his competitor’ (_N.E.D._).

[913] lere = learn.

[914] hippèd = hopped, limped.

[915] laid down = spent money.

[916] By then = by the time that.

[917] therefro = turned from it.

[918] woolward = in a rough woollen shirt (as penance).

[919] hight = promised.

[920] Me list = it pleases me.

[921] throw = interval of time.

[922] Again = back.

[923] banis = bane, destruction.

[924] craftily = skilfully.

[925] springe = trap.




_116. Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne_


    I

    When shaws[926] beene sheene[927], and shradds[928] full fayre,
      And leves both large and longe,
    Itt is merrye walking in the fayre forrèst
      To heare the small birds’ songe.

    II

    The woodweele[929] sang, and wold not cease,
      [Sitting upon the spraye,
    Soe lowde, he wakened Robin Hood,
      In the grenewood where he lay.

    III

    ‘Now by my faye,’ sayd jollye Robìn,
      ‘A sweaven[930] I had this night;
    I dreamt me of two wight[931] yemen,
      That fast with me can fight.]

    IV

    ‘Methought they did mee beate and binde,
      And tooke my bow mee fro;
    If I be Robin alive in this lande,
      I’ll be wroken[932] on them towe.’

    V

    ‘Sweavens are swift, Master,’ quoth John,
      ‘As the wind that blowes ore a hill;
    For if itt be never so loude this night,
      To-morrow itt may be still.’

    VI

    ‘Buske[933] yee, bowne[934] yee, my merry men all,
      And John shall goe with mee,
    For I’le goe seeke yond wight yemen,
      In grenewood where they bee.’

    VII

    They cast on them their gownes of grene,
      [And tooke theyr bowes each one;
    And all away to the grene forrèst]
      A shooting forth are gone;

    VIII

    Until they came to the merry grenewood,
      Where they had gladdest bee,
    There were they ware of a wight yemàn,
      His body lean’d to a tree.

    IX

    A sword and a dagger he wore by his side,
      Of manye a man the bane;
    And he was clad in his capull-hyde[935]
      Topp and tayll and mayne.

    X

    ‘Stand you still, Master,’ quoth Little John,
      ‘Under this trusty tree,
    And I will go to yond wight yeoman
      To know his meaning trulye.’

    XI

    ‘A! John, by me thou settest noe store,
      And that’s a farley[936] finde.
    How offt send I my men beffore,
      And tarry my selfe behinde?

    XII

    ‘It is noe cunning a knave to ken,
      An a man but heare him speake;
    An itt were not for bursting of my bowe,
      John, I wold thy head breake.’

    XIII

    As often wordes they breeden bale,
      So they parted Robin and John:
    And John is gone to Barnèsdale;
      The gates[937] he knoweth eche one.

    XIV

    But when he came to Barnèsdale,
      Great heavinesse there hee hadd,
    For he found two of his owne fellòwes
      Were slaine both in a slade[938].

    XV

    And Scarlette à-foote he flyinge was
      Fast over stocke and stone,
    For the Sheriffe with seven score men
      Fast after him is gone.

    XVI

    ‘Yet one shoote I’le shoote,’ quoth Little John,
      ‘With Christ his might and mayne;
    I’le make yond fellow that flyes soe fast,
      To stopp he shall be fayne.’

    XVII

    Then John bent up his good yewe-bowe
      And fettl’d[939] him to shoote:
    The bow was made of a tender boughe,
      And fell downe to his foote.

    XVIII

    ‘Woe worth thee, wicked wood,’ sayd John,
      ‘That ere thou grew on a tree!
    For now this day thou art my bale,
      My boote[940] when thou shold bee.’

    XIX

    His shoote it was but loosely shott,
      Yet it flewe not in vaine,
    For itt met one of the Sheriff’s men,
      Good William à Trent was slaine.

    XX

    It had bene better of William à Trent
      To have hangèd upon a gallòw,
    Than to be that day in the grene-wood
      To meet Little John’s arrowe.

    XXI

    But as it is said, when men be mett
      Fyve can doe more than three,
    The Sheriffe hath taken Little John,
      And bound him fast to a tree.

    XXII

    ‘Thou shalt be drawen by dale and downe,
      And hangèd hye on a hill.’--
    ‘But thou mayst fayle,’ quoth Little John,
      ‘If itt be Christ his will.’

    XXIII

    Let us leave talking of Little John,
      And thinke of Robin Hood,
    How he is gone to the wight yemàn,
      Where under the leaves he stood.

    XXIV

    ‘Good morrowe, good fellowe,’ sayd Robin so fayre,
      ‘Good morrowe, good fellow,’ quoth he:
    ‘Methinkes by this bowe thou beares in thy hande
      A good archere thou sholdst bee.’

    XXV

    ‘I am wilfull[941] of my waye,’ quo’ the yeman,
      ‘And of my morning tyde[942].’
    ‘I’le lead thee through the wood,’ sayd Robin;
      ‘Good fellow, I’le be thy guide.’

    XXVI

    ‘I seeke an outlàwe,’ the straunger sayd,
      ‘Men call him Robin Hood;
    Rather I’ld meet with that proud outlàwe,
      Than fortye pound of go’d.’--

    XXVII

    ‘If you two met, it wold be seene
      Whether were better man:
    But let us under the levès grene
      Some other pastime plan.

    XXVIII

    ‘Let us some other masteryes[943] make
      Among the woods so even,
    Wee may chance meet with Robin Hood
      Here att some unsett steven[944].’

    XXIX

    They cutt them downe two summer shroggs[945],
      That grew both under a breere,
    And sett them threescore rood in twinne[946]
      To shoot the prickes[947] y-fere.

    XXX

    ‘Leade on, good fellowe,’ quoth Robin Hood,
      ‘Leade on, I doe bidd thee.’--
    ‘Nay by my faith, good fellowe,’ hee sayd,
      ‘My leader thou shalt bee.’

    XXXI

    The first good shoot that Robin led,
      He mist but an inch it fro’:
    The yeoman he was an archer good,
      But he cold ne’er shoote soe.

    XXXII

    The second shoote had the wight yemàn,
      He shote within the garlànde:
    But Robin he shott far better than hee,
      For he clave the good pricke wande.

    XXXIII

    ‘God’s blessing upon thy heart!’ he sayd;
      ‘Good fellowe, thy shooting is goode;
    For an thy hart be as good as thy hand,
      Thou wert better than Robin Hood.’

    XXXIV

    ‘Now tell me thy name, good fellowe,’ sayd he,
      ‘Under the leaves of lyne[948].’--
    ‘Nay by my faith,’ quoth good Robìn,
      ‘Till thou have told me thine.’

    XXXV

    ‘I dwell by dale and downe,’ quoth hee,
      ‘And Robin to take I’me sworne;
    And when I am callèd by my right name
      I am Guy of good Gisborne.’--

    XXXVI

    ‘My dwelling is in this wood,’ sayes Robin,
      ‘By thee I set right nought:
    I am Robin Hood of Barnèsdale,
      Whom thou so long hast sought.’

    XXXVII

    He that had neither beene kithe nor kin,
      Might have seene a full fayre sight,
    To see how together these yemen went
      With blades both browne and bright:

    XXXVIII

    To see how these yemen together they fought
      Two howres of a summer’s day:
    Yett neither Sir Guy nor Robin Hood
      Them fettled to flye away.

    XXXIX

    Robin was reachles on[949] a roote,
      And stumbled at that tyde;
    And Guy was quick and nimble with-all,
      And hitt him o’er the left side.

    XL

    ‘Ah deere Lady!’ sayd Robin Hood,
      ‘That art both mother and may[950],
    I think it was never man’s destinye
      To dye before his day.’

    XLI

    Robin thought on Our Ladye deere,
      And soone leapt up againe,
    And strait he came with an aukward[951] stroke,
      And he Sir Guy hath slayne.

    XLII

    He took Sir Guy’s head by the hayre,
      And stickèd itt on his bowes end:
    ‘Thou hast been traytor all thy liffe,
      Which thing must have an ende.’

    XLIII

    Robin pulled forth an Irish kniffe,
      And nicked Sir Guy in the face,
    That he was never on woman born,
      Cold tell whose head it was.

    XLIV

    Saies, ‘Lye there, lye there, good Sir Guy,
      And with me be not wrothe;
    If thou have had the worse strokes at my hand,
      Thou shalt have the better clothe.’

    XLV

    Robin did off his gowne of greene,
      And on Sir Guy did it throwe,
    And hee put on that capull-hyde[952],
      That clad him topp to toe.

    XLVI

    ‘The bowe, the arrowes, and litle horne,
      Now with me I will beare;
    For I will away to Barnèsdale,
      To see how my men doe fare.’

    XLVII

    Robin sett Guy’s horne to his mouth,
      A loud blast in it he did blow,
    That beheard the Sheriffe of Nottingham,
      As he leaned under a lowe[953].

    XLVIII

    ‘Hearken! hearken!’ sayd the Sheriffe,
      ‘I heare now tydings good,
    For yonder I heare Sir Guy’s horne blowe,
      And he hath slaine Robin Hood.

    XLIX

    ‘Yonder I heare Sir Guy’s horne blowe,
      Itt blowes soe well in tyde,
    And yonder comes that wight yemàn,
      Cladd in his capull-hyde.

    L

    ‘Come hyther, come hyther, thou good Sir Guy,
      Aske what thou wilt of mee.’--
    ‘O I will none of thy gold,’ sayd Robin,
      ‘Nor I will none of thy fee:

    LI

    ‘But now I have slaine the master,’ he sayes,
      ‘Let me go strike the knave;
    This is all the rewarde I aske;
      Nor noe other will I have.’

    LII

    ‘Thou art a madman,’ said the Sheriffe,
      ‘Thou sholdest have had a knight’s fee:
    But seeing thy asking hath beene so bad,
      Well granted it shall be.’

    LIII

    When Little John heard his master speake,
      Well knewe he it was his steven[954]:
    ‘Now shall I be looset,’ quoth Little John,
      ‘With Christ his might in heaven.’

    LIV

    Robin hee hyed him to Little John,
      He thought to loose him belive[955];
    The Sheriffe and all his companye
      Fast after him did drive.

    LV

    ‘Stand abacke! stand abacke!’ sayd Robin Hood;
      ‘Why draw you mee soe neere?
    Itt was never the use in our countrye,
      One’s shrift another shold heere.’

    LVI

    But Robin pull’d forth an Irysh kniffe,
      And losed John hand and foote,
    And gave him Sir Guy’s bow into his hand,
      And bade it be his boote.

    LVII

    Then John he took Guy’s bow in his hand,
      His boltes and arrowes eche one:
    When the Sheriffe saw Little John bend his bow,
      He fettled him to be gone.

    LVIII

    Towards his house in Nottingham towne
      He fled full fast away;
    And soe did all his companye:
      Not one behind wold stay.

    LIX

    But he cold neither goe soe fast,
      Nor away soe fast cold runne,
    But Little John with an arrowe soe broad,
      Did cleave his herte in twinne.

FOOTNOTES:

[926] shaws = woods.

[927] sheene = bright.

[928] shradds = coppices(?).

[929] woodweele = woodlark, thrush(?).

[930] sweaven = dream.

[931] wight = sturdy.

[932] wroken = revenged.

[933] Buske = dress.

[934] bowne = get ready.

[935] capull-hyde = horse-hide.

[936] farley = wondrous strange.

[937] gates = ways, paths.

[938] slade = hollow.

[939] fettl’d = prepared.

[940] boote = help.

[941] wilfull = astray.

[942] tyde = time of day.

[943] masteryes = trials of skill.

[944] unsett steven = time not appointed.

[945] shroggs = shrubs.

[946] threescore rood in twinne = sixty rods apart.

[947] prickes = marks.

[948] lyne = linden.

[949] reachles on = reckless, careless of.

[950] may = maid.

[951] aukward = back-handed.

[952] capull-hyde = horse-hide.

[953] lowe = hillock.

[954] steven = voice.

[955] belive = straightway.




_117. Robin Hood and the Monk_


    I

    In somer, when the shawes[956] be sheyne[957],
      And leves be large and long,
    Hit is full mery in feyre foreste
      To here the foulys song:

    II

    To se the dere draw to the dale,
      And leve the hillès hee,
    And shadow hem in the levë’s grene,
      Under the grene-wode tre.

    III

    Hit befel on Whitsontide,
      Erly in a May mornyng,
    The Son up feyre can shyne,
      And the briddis mery can syng.

    IV

    ‘This is a mery mornyng,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Be Hym that dyed on tre;
    A more mery man then I am one
      Lyves not in Cristiantë.

    V

    ‘Pluk up thi hert, my dere mayster,’
      Litull John can sey,
    ‘And thynk hit is a full fayre tyme
      In a mornyng of May.’

    VI

    ‘Ye, on thyng greves me,’ seid Robyn,
      ‘And does my hert mych woo;
    That I may not no solem day
      To mas nor matyns goo.

    VII

    ‘Hit is a fourtnet and more,’ seid he,
      ‘Syn I my Savyour see;
    To day wil I to Notyngham,’ seid Robyn,
      ‘With the myght of mylde Marye.’

    VIII

    Than spake Moche, the mylner son,--
      Ever more wel hym betyde!
    ‘Take twelve of thi wyght yemèn[958],
      Well weppynd, be thi side.
    Such on wolde thi selfe slon[959],
      That twelve dar not abyde.’

    IX

    ‘Of all my mery men,’ seid Robyn,
      ‘Be my feith I wil non have,
    But Litull John shall beyre my bow,
      Til that me list to drawe.’

    X

    ‘Thou shall beyre thin own,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Maister, and I wyl beyre myne,
    And we well shete a peny[960],’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Under the grene-wode lyne[961].’

    XI

    ‘I wil not shete a peny,’ seyd Robyn Hode,
      ‘In feith, Litull John, with the,
    But ever for on as thou shetis,’ seide Robyn,
      ‘In feith I holde[962] the thre.’

    XII

    Thus shet thei forth, these yemen two,
      Bothe at buske[963] and brome,
    Til Litull John wan of his maister
      Five shillings to hose and shone.

    XIII

    A ferly[964] strife fel them betwene,
      As they went bi the wey;
    Litull John seid he had won five shillings,
      And Robyn Hode seid schortly nay.

    XIV

    With that Robyn Hode lyed[965] Litull John,
      And smote hym with his hande;
    Litull John waxèd wroth therwith,
      And pull’d out his bright bronde.

    XV

    ‘Were thou not my maister,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Thou shuldis be hit ful sore;
    Get the a man wher thou wilt,
      For thou getis me no more.’

    XVI

    Then Robyn goes to Notyngham,
      Hym selfe mornyng allone,
    And Litull John to mery Scherwode,
      The pathes he knew ilkone[966].

    XVII

    Whan Robyn came to Notyngham,
      Sertenly withouten layn[967],
    He prayed to God and myld Mary
      To bryng hym out save agayn.

    XVIII

    He gos in to Seynt Mary chirch,
      And kneled down before the rode;
    Alle that e’er were the church within
      Beheld wel Robyn Hode.

    XIX

    Beside hym stod a gret-hedid munke,
      I pray to God woo he be!
    Fful sone he knew gode Robyn,
      As sone as he hym se.

    XX

    Out at the durre he ran,
      Fful sone and anon;
    Alle the yatis[968] of Notyngham
      He made to be sparred[969] euerychon.

    XXI

    ‘Rise up,’ he seid, ‘thou prowde Schereff,
      Buske[970] the and make the bowne[971];
    I have spyèd the Kynggis felon,
      Fforsothe he is in this town.

    XXII

    ‘I have spyèd the false felon,
      As he stondis at his masse;
    Hit is long of[972] the,’ seide the munke
      ‘And ever he fro us passe.

    XXIII

    ‘This traytur name is Robyn Hode,
      Under the grene-wode lynde;
    He robbyt me onys of a hundred pound,
      Hit shalle never out of my mynde.’

    XXIV

    Up then rose this prowde Shereff,
      And radly[973] made hym yare[974];
    Many was the moder son
      To the kyrk with hym can fare.

    XXV

    In at the durres thei throly thrast[975],
      With stavès ful gode wone[976];
    ‘Alas, alas!’ seid Robyn Hode,
      ‘Now mysse I Litull John.’

    XXVI

    But Robyn toke out a two-hond sworde,
      That hangit down be his kne;
    Ther as the Schereff and his men stode thyckust,
      Thethurwarde wolde he.

    XXVII

    Thryes thorowout them he ran then,
      Forsothe as I yow sey,
    And woundyt mony a moder son,
      And twelve he slew that day.

    XXVIII

    His sworde upon the Schereff hed
      Sertanly he brake in two;
    ‘The smyth that the made,’ seid Robyn,
      ‘I pray to God wyrke hym woo!

    XXIX

    ‘Ffor now am I weppynlesse,’ seid Robyn,
      ‘Alasse! agayn my wylle;
    But if[977] I may fle these traytors fro,
      I wot thei wil me kyll.’

    XXX

    Robyn into the churchë ran,
      Throout hem everilkon ...
    [Then word is gone to his yemen
      In grene-wode wher they wone[978].]

    XXXI

    Sum fel in swonyng as thei were dede,
      And lay stil as any stone;
    Non of theym were in her mynde
      But only Litull John.

    XXXII

    ‘Let be your rule[979],’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Ffor his luf that dyed on tre;
    Ye that shulde be dughty[980] men,
      Het is gret shame to se.

    XXXIII

    ‘Oure maister has bene hard bystode
      And yet scapyd away;
    Pluk up your hertis, and leve this mone[981],
      And harkyn what I shal say.

    XXXIV

    ‘He has seruyd Oure Lady many a day,
      And yet wil, securly;
    Therfor I trust in hir specialy
      No wyckud deth shal he dye.

    XXXV

    ‘Therfor be glad,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘And let this mournyng be;
    And I shal be the munkis gyde[982],
      With the myght of mylde Mary.’

    XXXVI

    [Than spake Moche, the mylner son,]
      ‘We will go but we two.’--
    ‘An I mete hym,’ seid Litull John,
      [‘I trust to wyrke hym woo.]

    XXXVII

    ‘Loke that ye kepe wel owre tristil-tre[983],
      Under the levys smale[984],
    And spare non of this venyson,
      That gose in thys vale.’

    XXXVIII

    Fforthe then went these yemen two,
      Litull John and Moche on fere[985],
    And lokid on Moch’ emys hows[986],--
      The hye-way lay full nere.

    XXXIX

    Litull John stode at a wyndow in the mornyng,
      And lokid forth at a stage[987];
    He was war wher the munke came ridyng,
      And with hym a litul page.

    XL

    ‘Be my feith,’ seid Litull John to Moch,
      ‘I can the tel tithyngus[988] gode;
    I se wher the monke cumys rydyng,
      I know hym be his wyde hode.’

    XLI

    They went in to the way, these yemen bothe,
      As curtes men and hende[989];
    Thei spyrred[990] tithyngus at the munke,
      As they hade bene his frende.

    XLII

    ‘Ffro whens come ye?’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Tel us tithyngus, I yow pray,
    Off a false owtlay, callid Robyn Hode,
      Was takyn yisterday.

    XLIII

    ‘He robbyt me and my felowes bothe
      Of twenti marke in serten;
    If that false owtlay be takyn,
      Ffor sothe we wolde be fayn.’

    XLIV

    ‘So did he me,’ seid the munke,
      ‘Of a hundred pound and more;
    I layde furst hande hym apon,
      Ye may thonke me therfore.’

    XLV

    ‘I pray God thanke you,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘And we wil when we may;
    We wil go with you, with your leve,
      And bryng yow on your way.

    XLVI

    ‘Ffor Robyn Hode hase many a wilde felow,
      I tell you in certen;
    If thei wist ye rode this way,
      In feith ye shulde be slayn.’

    XLVII

    As thei went talking be the way,
      The munke and Litull John,
    John toke the munkis horse be the hede,
      Fful sone and anon.

    XLVIII

    John toke the munkis horse be the hed,
      Fforsothe as I yow say;
    So did Much the litull page,
      Ffor he shulde not scape away.

    XLIX

    Be the golett[991] of the hode
      John pulled the munkè down;
    John was nothyng of hym agast[992],
      He lete hym falle on his crown.

    L

    Litull John was sore agrevyd,
      And drew owt his swerde in hye[993];
    This munkè saw he shulde be ded,
      Lowd mercy can he crye.

    LI

    ‘He was my maister,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘That thou hase browght in bale[994];
    Shalle thou never cum at our Kyng,
      Ffor to telle hym tale.’

    LII

    John smote of the munkis hed,
      No longer wolde he dwell;
    So did Moch the litull page,
      Ffor ferd[995] lest he wolde tell.

    LIII

    Ther thei beryèd hem bothe,
      In nouther mosse nor lyng,
    And Litull John and Much in fere
      Bare the letturs to oure Kyng.

    LIV

    [Whan John came unto oure Kyng]
      He knelid down on his kne:
    God yow save, my legè lorde,
      Jhesus yow save and se!

    LV

    ‘God yow save, my legè Kyng!’
      To speke John was full bolde;
    He gaf hym the letturs in his hond,
      The Kyng did hit unfold.

    LVI

    The Kyng red the letturs anon,
      And seid, ‘So mot I the[996],
    Ther was never yoman in mery Inglond
      I longut so sore to se.

    LVII

    ‘Wher is the munke that these shuld have brought?’
      Ourè Kyng can say:
    ‘Be my trouth,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘He dyed after[997] the way.’

    LVIII

    The Kyng gaf Moch and Litull John
      Twenti pound in sertan,
    And made theim yemen of the crown,
      And bade theim go agayn.

    LIX

    He gaf John the seel in hand,
      The Sheref for to bere,
    To bryng Robyn hym to,
      And no man do hym dere[998].

    LX

    John toke his leve at oure Kyng,
      The sothe as I yow say;
    The next[999] way to Notyngham
      To take, he yede[1000] the way.

    LXI

    Whan John came to Notyngham
      The yatis were sparred ychon[1001];
    John callid up the porter,
      He answerid sone anon.

    LXII

    ‘What is the cause,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Thou sparris the yates so fast?’--
    ‘Because of Robyn Hode,’ seid the porter,
      ‘In depe prison is cast.

    LXIII

    ‘John and Moch and Wyll Scathlok,
      Ffor sothe as I yow say,
    Thei slew oure men upon our wallis,
      And sawten[1002] us every day.’

    LXIV

    Litull John spyrred after the Schereff,
      And sone he hym fonde;
    He oppyned the Kyngus prive seell,
      And gaf hym in his honde.

    LXV

    Whan the Scheref saw the Kyngus seell,
      He did of his hode[1003] anon:
    ‘Wher is the munke that bare the letturs?’
      He seid to Litull John.

    LXVI

    ‘He is so fayn of hym,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Fforsothe as I yow say,
    He has made hym abot of Westmynster,
      A lorde of that abbay.’

    LXVII

    The Scheref made John godè chere,
      And gaf hym wyne of the best;
    At nyght thei went to her[1004] beddè,
      And every man to his rest.

    LXVIII

    When the Scheref was on slepe,
      Dronken of wyne and ale,
    Litull John and Moch forsothe
      Toke the way unto the jale.

    LXIX

    Litull John callid up the jayler,
      And bade hym rise anon;
    He seyd Robyn Hode had brokyn prison,
      And out of hit was gon.

    LXX

    The porter rose anon sertan,
      As sone as he herd John calle;
    Litull John was redy with a swerd,
      And bare hym to the walle.

    LXXI

    ‘Now wil I be porter,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘And take the keyes in honde:’
    He toke the way to Robyn Hode,
      And sone he hym unbonde.

    LXXII

    He gaf hym a gode swerd in his hond,
      His hed therwith for to kepe,
    And ther as the walle was lowyst
      Anon down can thei lepe.

    LXXIII

    Be that the cok began to crow,
      The day began to spryng,
    The Scheref fond the jaylier ded;
      The comyn bell[1005] made he ryng.

    LXXIV

    He made a crye thoroout al the town,
      Wheder he be yoman or knave,
    That cowthè bryng hym Robyn Hode,
      His warison[1006] he shuld have.

    LXXV

    ‘Ffor I dar never,’ said the Scheref,
      ‘Cum before oure Kyng;
    Ffor if I do, I wot serten
      Ffor sothe he wil me heng.’

    LXXVI

    The Scheref made to seke Notyngham,
      Bothe be strete and stye[1007],
    And Robyn was in mery Scherwode,
      As light as lef on lynde.

    LXXVII

    Then bespake gode Litull John,
      To Robyn Hode can he say,
    ‘I have done the a gode turne for an evyll,
      Quyte the whan thou may.

    LXXVIII

    ‘I have done the a gode turne,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘Fforsothe as I yow say;
    I have brought the under grene-wode lyne;
      Ffare wel, and have gode day.’

    LXXIX

    ‘Nay, be my trouth,’ seid Robyn Hode,
      ‘So shall hit never be;
    I make the maister,’ seid Robyn Hode,
      ‘Off alle my men and me.’

    LXXX

    ‘Nay, be my trouth,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘So shalle hit never be;
    But lat me be a felow,’ seid Litull John,
      ‘No noder kepe I be[1008].’

    LXXXI

    Thus John gate Robyn Hode out of prison,
      Sertan withoutyn layn;
    Whan his men saw hym hol and sounde,
      Fforsothe they were full fayne.

    LXXXII

    They fillèd in wyne, and made hem glad,
      Under the levys smale,
    And yete[1009] pastès of venyson,
      That gode was with ale.

    LXXXIII

    Than wordè came to oure Kyng
      How Robyn Hode was gon,
    And how the Scheref of Notyngham
      Durst never loke hym upon.

    LXXXIV

    Then bespake oure cumly Kyng,
      In an angur hye:
    ‘Litull John hase begyled the Schereff,
      In faith so hase he me.

    LXXXV

    ‘Litull John has begyled us bothe
      And that full wel I se;
    Or ellis the Schereff of Notyngham
      Hye hongut shulde he be.

    LXXXVI

    ‘I made hem yemen of the crowne,
      And gaf hem fee with my hond;
    I gaf hem grith[1010],’ seid oure Kyng,
      ‘Thorowout all mery Inglond.

    LXXXVII

    ‘I gaf theym grith,’ then seid oure Kyng;
      ‘I say, so mot I the,
    Fforsothe soch a yeman as he is on
      In all Inglond ar not thre.

    LXXXVIII

    ‘He is trew to his maister,’ seid our Kyng;
      ‘I sey, be swete Seynt John,
    He lovys better Robyn Hode
      Then he dose us ychon.

    LXXXIX

    ‘Robyn Hode is ever bond to hym,
      Bothe in strete and stalle;
    Speke no more of this mater,’ seid oure Kyng,
      ‘But John has begyled us alle.’

    XC

    Thus endys the talkyng of the munke
      And Robyn Hode i-wysse;
    God, that is ever a crowned kyng,
      Bryng us all to his blisse!

FOOTNOTES:

[956] shawes = woods.

[957] sheyne = bright, beautiful.

[958] wyght yemèn = sturdy yeomen.

[959] slon = slay.

[960] shete a peny = shoot for a penny.

[961] lyne = linden.

[962] holde = wager.

[963] buske = bush.

[964] ferly = wondrous, strange.

[965] lyed = gave the lie to.

[966] ilkone = each one.

[967] layn = concealment.

[968] yatis = gates.

[969] sparred = barred.

[970] Buske = get ready.

[971] bowne = bound, ready.

[972] long of = along of, i. e. thy fault.

[973] radly = quickly.

[974] yare = ready.

[975] throly thrast = pressed stubbornly.

[976] gode wone = good number, plenty.

[977] But if = unless.

[978] wone = dwelt.

[979] rule = ‘taking on,’ lamenting.

[980] dughty = doughty.

[981] mone = moan.

[982] gyde = be the guide, take charge of.

[983] tristil-tre = trysting-tree, rendezvous.

[984] smale = small.

[985] on fere = in company.

[986] emys hows = uncle’s house.

[987] at a stage = on an upper floor.

[988] tithyngus = tidings.

[989] hende = civil.

[990] spyrred = spiered, inquired.

[991] golett = gullet, throat.

[992] of him agast = alarmed about him.

[993] hye = haste.

[994] bale = harm.

[995] ferd = fear.

[996] mot I the = I thrive.

[997] after = behind on.

[998] dere = injury.

[999] next = nighest.

[1000] yede = went.

[1001] ychon = each one.

[1002] sawten = assault.

[1003] did of his hode = took off his hat.

[1004] her = their.

[1005] comyn bell = town bell.

[1006] warison = reward.

[1007] stye = path, alley.

[1008] kepe I be = care I to be.

[1009] yete = ate.

[1010] grith = charter of peace.




_118. Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar_


    _But how many months be in the year?
      There are thirteen, I say;
    The midsummer moon is the merryest of all
      Next to the merry month of May._

    I

    In summer time, when leaves grow green,
      And flowers are fresh and gay,
    Robin Hood and his merry men
      Were [all] disposed to play.

    II

    Then some would leap, and some would run,
      And some use artillery:
    ‘Which of you can a good bow draw,
      A good archer to be?

    III

    ‘Which of you can kill a buck?
      Or who can kill a doe?
    Or who can kill a hart of grease,
      Five hundred foot him fro?’

    IV

    Will Scadlock he kill’d a buck,
      And Midge he kill’d a doe,
    And Little John kill’d a hart of grease,
      Five hundred foot him fro.

    V

    ‘God’s blessing on thy heart,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘That hath [shot] such a shot for me;
    I would ride my horse an hundred miles,
      To finde one could match with thee’

    VI

    That caus’d Will Scadlock to laugh,
      He laugh’d full heartily:
    ‘There lives a curtal friar in Fountains Abbey
      Will beat both him and thee.

    VII

    ‘That curtal friar in Fountains Abbey
      Well can a strong bow draw;
    He will beat you and your yeomen,
      Set them all on a row.’

    VIII

    Robin Hood took a solemn oath,
      It was by Mary free,
    That he would neither eat nor drink
      Till the friar he did see.

    IX

    Robin Hood put on his harness good,
      And on his head a cap of steel,
    Broad sword and buckler by his side,
      And they became him weel.

    X

    He took his bow into his hand,
      It was made of a trusty tree,
    With a sheaf of arrows at his belt,
      To the Fountains Dale went he.

    XI

    And coming unto Fountain[s] Dale,
      No further would he ride;
    There was he aware of a curtal friar,
      Walking by the water-side.

    XII

    The friar had on a harness good,
      And on his head a cap of steel,
    Broad sword and buckler by his side,
      And they became him weel.

    XIII

    Robin Hood lighted off his horse,
      And tied him to a thorn:
    ‘Carry me over the water, thou curtal friar,
      Or else thy life’s forlorn.’

    XIV

    The friar took Robin Hood on his back,
      Deep water he did bestride,
    And spake neither good word nor bad,
      Till he came at the other side.

    XV

    Lightly leapt Robin Hood off the friar’s back;
      The friar said to him again,
    ‘Carry me over this water, fine fellow,
      Or it shall breed thy pain.’

    XVI

    Robin Hood took the friar on ’s back,
      Deep water he did bestride,
    And spake neither good word nor bad,
      Till he came at the other side.

    XVII

    Lightly leapt the friar off Robin Hood’s back;
      Robin Hood said to him again,
    ‘Carry me over this water, thou curtal friar,
      Or it shall breed thy pain.’

    XVIII

    The friar took Robin Hood on’s back again,
      And stept up to the knee;
    Till he came at the middle stream,
      Neither good nor bad spake he.

    XIX

    And coming to the middle stream,
      There he threw Robin in:
    ‘And chuse thee, chuse thee, fine fellow,
      Whether thou wilt sink or swim!’

    XX

    Robin Hood swam to a bush of broom,
      The friar to a wicker wand;
    Bold Robin Hood is gone to shore,
      And took his bow in hand.

    XXI

    One of his best arrows under his belt
      To the friar he let flye;
    The curtal friar, with his steel buckler,
      He put that arrow by.

    XXII

    ‘Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellòw,
      Shoot on as thou hast begun;
    If thou shoot here a summer’s day,
      Thy mark I will not shun.’

    XXIII

    Robin Hood shot passing well,
      Till his arrows all were gone;
    They took their swords and steel bucklers,
      And fought with might and maine;

    XXIV

    From ten o’ th’ clock that day,
      Till four i’ th’ afternoon;
    Then Robin Hood came to his knees,
      Of the friar to beg a boon.

    XXV

    ‘A boon, a boon, thou curtal friar!
      I beg it on my knee;
    Give me leave to set my horn to my mouth,
      And to blow blasts three.’

    XXVI

    ‘That will I do,’ said the curtal friar!
      ‘Of thy blasts I have no doubt;
    I hope thou’lt blow so passing well
      Till both thy eyes fall out.’

    XXVII

    Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth
      He blew but blasts three;
    Half a hundred yeomen, with bows bent,
      Came raking[1011] over the lee.

    XXVIII

    ‘Whose men are these,’ said the friar,
      ‘That come so hastily?’
    ‘These men are mine,’ said Robin Hood
      ‘Friar, what is that to thee?’

    XXIX

    ‘A boon, a boon,’ said the curtal friar,
      ‘The like I gave to thee!
    Give me leave to set my fist to my mouth,
      And to whute[1012] whutès three.’

    XXX

    ‘That will I do,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Or else I were to blame;
    Three whutès in a friar’s fist
      Would make me glad and fain.’

    XXXI

    The friar he set his fist to his mouth,
      And whuted whutès three;
    Half a hundred good ban-dogs
      Came running the friar unto.

    XXXII

    ‘Here’s for every man of thine a dog,
      And I my self for thee!’--
    ‘Nay, by my faith,’ quoth Robin Hood,
      ‘Friar, that may not be.’

    XXXIII

    Two dogs at once to Robin Hood did go,
      T’ one behind, the other before;
    Robin Hood’s mantle of Lincoln green
      Off from his back they tore.

    XXXIV

    And whether his men shot east or west,
      Or they shot north or south,
    The curtal dogs, so taught they were,
      They kept their arrows in their mouth.

    XXXV

    ‘Take up thy dogs,’ said Little John,
      ‘Friar, at my bidding be.’--
    ‘Whose man art thou,’ said the curtal friar,
      ‘Comes here to prate with me?’--

    XXXVI

    ‘I am Little John, Robin Hood’s man,
      Friar, I will not lie;
    If thou take not up thy dogs soon,
      I’le take up them and thee.’

    XXXVII

    Little John had a bow in his hand,
      He shot with might and main;
    Soon half a score of the friar’s dogs
      Lay dead upon the plain.

    XXXVIII

    ‘Hold thy hand, good fellow,’ said the curtal friar,
      ‘Thy master and I will agree;
    And we will have new orders taken,
      With all the haste that may be.’

    XXXIX

    ‘If thou wilt forsake fair Fountains Dale,
      And Fountains Abbey free,
    Every Sunday throughout the year,
      A noble shall be thy fee.

    XL

    ‘And every holy day throughout the year,
      Changed shall thy garment be,
    If thou wilt go to fair Nottingham,
      And there remain with me.’

    XLI

    This curtal friar had kept Fountains Dale
      Seven long years or more;
    There was neither knight, lord, nor earl
      Could make him yield before.

FOOTNOTES:

[1011] raking = advancing.

[1012] whute = whistle.




_119. Robin Hood and the Butcher_


    I

    Come, all you brave gallants, and listen a while,
      That are in the bowers within;
    For of Robin Hood, that archer good,
      A song I intend for to sing.

    II

    Upon a time it chancèd so
      Bold Robin in forrest did spy
    A jolly butchèr, with a bonny fine mare,
      With his flesh to the market did hye.

    III

    ‘Good morrow, good fellow!’ said jolly Robìn,
      ‘What food hast? tell unto me;
    And thy trade to me tell, and where thou dost dwell,
      For I like well thy company.’

    IV

    The butcher he answered jolly Robin:
      ‘No matter where I dwell;
    For a butcher I am, and to Notingham
      I am going, my flesh to sell.’

    V

    ‘What price thy flesh?’ said jolly Robìn,
      ‘Come, tell it soon unto me;
    And the price of thy mare, be she never so dear,
      For a butcher fain would I be.’

    VI

    ‘The price of my flesh,’ the butcher repli’d,
      ‘I soon will tell unto thee;
    With my bonny mare, and they are not dear,
      Four mark thou must give unto me.’

    VII

    ‘Four mark I will give thee,’ saith jolly Robìn,
      ‘Four mark it shall be thy fee;
    Thy mony come count, and let me mount,
      For a butcher I fain would be.’

    VIII

    Now Robin he is to Notingham gone,
      His butcher’s trade for to begin;
    With good intent, to the Sheriff he went,
      And there he took up his inn.

    IX

    When other butchers they opened their meat,
      Bold Robin he then begun;
    But how for to sell he knew not well,
      For a butcher he was but young.

    X

    When other butchers no meat could sell,
      Robin got both gold and fee;
    For he sold more meat for one peny
      Than others could do for three.

    XI

    But when he sold his meat so fast,
      No butcher by him could thrive;
    For he sold more meat for one peny
      Than others could do for five.

    XII

    Which made the butchers of Notingham
      To study as they did stand,
    Saying, surely he was some prodigal,
      That had sold his father’s land.

    XIII

    The butchers they stepped to jolly Robin,
      Acquainted with him for to be;
    ‘Come, brother,’ one said, ‘we be all of one trade,
      Come, will you go dine with me?’

    XIV

    ‘Accurst of his heart,’ said jolly Robìn,
      ‘That a butcher doth deny!
    I will go with you, my brethren true,
      And as fast as I can hie.’

    XV

    But when to the Sheriff’s house they came,
      To dinner they hied apace,
    And Robin Hood he the man must be
      Before them all to say grace.

    XVI

    ‘Pray God bless us all,’ said jolly Robìn,
      ‘And our meat within this place;
    A cup of sack good, to nourish our blood,
      And so I do end my grace.

    XVII

    ‘Come fill us more wine,’ said jolly Robìn,
      ‘Let us merry be while we do stay;
    For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear,
      I vow I the reck’ning will pay.

    XVIII

    ‘Come, brothers, be merry,’ said jolly Robìn,
      ‘Let us drink, and never give o’er;
    For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way,
      If it cost me five pounds and more.’

    XIX

    ‘This is a mad blade,’ the butchers then said;
      Says the Sheriff, ‘He’s some prodigal,
    That his land has sold, for silver and gold,
      And meaneth to spend it all.’

    XX

    ‘Hast thou any horn-beasts,’ the Sheriff inquired,
      ‘Good fellow, to sell unto me?’--
    ‘Yea, a plenty I have, good Master Sheriff,
      I have hundreds two or three.

    XXI

    ‘And a hundred acre of good free land,
      An it please you go for to see;
    And I’le make you as good assurance of it
      As ever my father made me.’

    XXII

    The Sheriff he saddled a good palfrèy,
      With three hundred pound in gold,
    And away he went with bold Robin Hood,
      His hornèd beasts to behold.

    XXIII

    Away then the Sheriff and Robin did ride,
      To the forest of merry Sherwood;
    Then the Sheriff did say, ‘God bless us this day
      From a man they call Robin Hood!’

    XXIV

    But when that a little further they came,
      Bold Robin he chancèd to spy
    A hundred head of the good red deer,
      Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh.

    XXV

    ‘How like you my horn’d beasts, Master Sheriff?
      They be fat and fair for to see;’
    ‘I tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone,
      For I like not thy company.’

    XXVI

    Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,
      And blew but blastès three;
    Then quickly anon there came Little John,
      And all his company.

    XXVII

    ‘What is your will?’ then said Little John,
      ‘Good master come tell it to me;’
    ‘I have brought hither the Sheriff of Notingham,
      This day to dine with thee.’

    XXVIII

    ‘He is welcome to me,’ then said Little John,
      ‘I hope he will honestly pay;
    I know he has gold, if it be but well told,
      Will serve us to drink a whole day.’

    XXIX

    Robin Hood took his mantle from his back,
      And laid it upon the ground,
    And out of the Sheriff’s portmantle
      He told three hundred pound.

    XXX

    Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood,
      Set him on his dapple gray:
    ‘O have me commended, good sir, to your wife!’--
      So Robin went laughing away.




_120. Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford_


    I

    Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while;
      A story I’ll to you unfold--
    How Robin Hood servèd the Bishop,
      When he robb’d him of his gold.

    II

    As it befel in merry Barnsdale,
      And under the green-wood tree,
    The Bishop of Hereford was to come by,
      With all his companye.

    III

    ‘Come, kill a ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,
      ‘Come, kill me a good fat deer;
    The Bishop’s to dine with me to day,
      And he shall pay well for his cheer.

    IV

    ‘We’ll kill a fat ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,
      ‘And dress’t by the highway-side,
    And narrowly watch for the Bishop,
      Lest some other way he should ride.’

    V

    He dress’d himself up in shepherd’s attire,
      With six of his men also;
    And the Bishop of Hereford came thereby,
      As about the fire they did go.

    VI

    ‘What matter is this?’ said the Bishop;
      ‘Or for whom do you make this a-do?
    Or why do you kill the King’s ven’son,
      When your company is so few?’

    VII

    ‘We are shepherds,’ said bold Robin Hood,
      ‘And we keep sheep all the year;
    And we are disposed to be merry this day,
      And to kill of the King’s fat deer.’

    VIII

    ‘You are brave fellowes,’ said the Bishop,
      ‘And the King of your doings shall know;
    Therefore make haste, come along with me,
      For before the King you shall go.’

    IX

    ‘O pardon, O pardon,’ says bold Robin Hood,
      ‘O pardon, I thee pray!
    For it never becomes your lordship’s coat
      To take so many lives away.’

    X

    ‘No pardon, no pardon!’ the Bishop says;
      ‘No pardon I thee owe;
    Therefore make haste, come along with me,
      For before the King you shall go.’

    XI

    Robin set his back against a tree,
      And his foot against a thorn,
    And from underneath his shepherd’s coat
      He pull’d out a bugle horn.

    XII

    He put the little end to his mouth,
      And a loud blast did he blow,
    Till threescore and ten of bold Robin’s men
      Came running all on a row;

    XIII

    All making obeisance to bold Robin Hood;
      --’Twas a comely sight for to see:
    ‘What matter, my master,’ said Little John,
      ‘That you blow so hastilye?’--

    XIV

    ‘O here is the Bishop of Hereford,
      And no pardon we shall have.’--
    ‘Cut off his head, master,’ said Little John,
      ‘And throw him into his grave.’--

    XV

    ‘O pardon, O pardon,’ said the Bishop,
      ‘O pardon, I thee pray!
    For if I had known it had been you,
      I’d have gone some other way.’--

    XVI

    ‘No pardon, no pardon!’ said Robin Hood;
      ‘No pardon I thee owe;
    Therefore make haste, come along with me,
      For to merry Barnsdale you shall go.’

    XVII

    Then Robin has taken the Bishop’s hand
      And led him to merry Barnsdale;
    He made him to stay and sup with him that night,
      And to drink wine, beer and ale.

    XVIII

    ‘Call in the reckoning,’ said the Bishòp,
      ‘For methinks it grows wondrous high.’--
    ‘Lend me your purse, Bishop,’ said Little John,
      ‘And I’ll tell you by-and-by.’

    XIX

    Then Little John took the Bishop’s cloak,
      And spread it upon the ground,
    And out of the Bishop’s portmantua
      He told three hundred pound.

    XX

    ‘So now let him go,’ said Robin Hood;
      Said Little John, ‘That may not be;
    For I vow and protest he shall sing us a mass
      Before that he go from me.’

    XXI

    Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand,
      And bound him fast to a tree,
    And made him to sing a mass, God wot,
      To him and his yeomandrye.

    XXII

    Then Robin Hood brought him through the wood
      And causèd the music to play,
    And he made the Bishop to dance in his boots,
      And they set him on ’s dapple-grey,
    And they gave the tail within his hand--
      And glad he could so get away!




_121. Robin Hood and Alan a Dale_


    I

    Come listen to me, you gallants so free,
      All you that love mirth for to hear,
    And I will you tell of a bold outlàw,
      That lived in Nottinghamshire.

    II

    As Robin Hood in the forest stood,
      All under the green-wood tree,
    There was he ware of a brave young man,
      As fine as fine might be.

    III

    The youngster was clothed in scarlet red,
      In scarlet fine and gay,
    And he did frisk it over the plain,
      And chanted a roundelay.

    IV

    As Robin Hood next morning stood,
      Amongst the leaves so gay,
    There did he espy the same young man
      Come drooping along the way.

    V

    The scarlet he wore the day before,
      It was clean cast away;
    And every step he fetcht a sigh,
      ‘Alack and a well a day!’

    VI

    Then steppèd forth brave Little John,
      And Much the miller’s son,
    Which made the young man bend his bow,
      When as he saw them come.

    VII

    ‘Stand off, stand off!’ the young man said,
      ‘What is your will with me?’--
    ‘You must come before our master straight,
      Under yon green-wood tree.’

    VIII

    And when he came bold Robin before,
      Robin askt him courteously,
    ‘O hast thou any money to spare,
      For my merry men and me?’

    IX

    ‘I have no money,’ the young man said,
      ‘But five shillings and a ring;
    And that I have kept this seven long years,
      To have it at my weddìng.

    X

    ‘Yesterday I should have married a maid,
      But she is now from me tane,
    And chosen to be an old knight’s delight,
      Whereby my poor heart is slain.’

    XI

    ‘What is thy name?’ then said Robin Hood,
      ‘Come tell me, without any fail.’--
    ‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man,
      ‘My name it is Alan a Dale.’

    XII

    ‘What wilt thou give me,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘In ready gold or fee,
    To help thee to thy true-love again,
      And deliver her unto thee?’

    XIII

    ‘I have no money,’ then quoth the young man,
      ‘No ready gold nor fee,
    But I will swear upon a book
      Thy true servant for to be.’--

    XIV

    ‘But how many miles to thy true-love?
      Come tell me without any guile.’--
    ‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man,
      ‘It is but five little mile.’

    XV

    Then Robin he hasted over the plain,
      He did neither stint nor lin[1013],
    Until he came unto the church
      Where Alan should keep his weddìng.

    XVI

    ‘What dost thou do here?’ the Bishop he said,
      ‘I prithee now tell to me:’
    ‘I am a bold harper,’ quoth Robin Hood,
      ‘And the best in the north countrey.’

    XVII

    ‘O welcome, O welcome!’ the Bishop he said,
      ‘That musick best pleaseth me.’--
    ‘You shall have no musick,’ quoth Robin Hood,
      ‘Till the bride and the bridegroom I see.’

    XVIII

    With that came in a wealthy knight,
      Which was both grave and old,
    And after him a finikin lass,
      Did shine like glistering gold.

    XIX

    ‘This is no fit match,’ quoth bold Robin Hood,
      ‘That you do seem to make here;
    For since we are come unto the church,
      The bride she shall chuse her own dear.’

    XX

    Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,
      And blew blasts two or three;
    When four and twenty bowmen bold
      Come leaping over the lee.

    XXI

    And when they came into the churchyard,
      Marching all on a row,
    The first man was Alan a Dale,
      To give bold Robin his bow.

    XXII

    ‘This is thy true-love,’ Robin he said,
      ‘Young Alan, as I hear say;
    And you shall be married at this same time,
      Before we depart away.’

    XXIII

    ‘That shall not be,’ the Bishop he said,
      ‘For thy word it shall not stand;
    They shall be three times askt in the church,
      As the law is of our land.’

    XXIV

    Robin Hood pull’d off the Bishop’s coat,
      And put it upon Little John;
    ‘By the faith of my body,’ then Robin said,
      ‘This cloath doth make thee a man.’

    XXV

    When Little John went into the quire,
      The people began for to laugh;
    He askt them seven times in the church,
      Least three should not be enough.

    XXVI

    ‘Who gives me this maid?’ then said Little John;
      Quoth Robin, ‘That do I!
    And he that doth take her from Alan a Dale
      Full dearly he shall her buy.’

    XXVII

    And thus having ended this merry weddìng
      The bride lookt as fresh as a queen,
    And so they return’d to the merry green-wood,
      Amongst the leaves so green.

FOOTNOTES:

[1013] lin = stop.




_122. Robin Hood and the Widow’s Three Sons_


    I

    There are twelve months in all the year,
      As I hear many men say,
    But the merriest month in all the year
      Is the merry month of May.

    II

    Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
      _With a link a down and a day_,
    And there he met a silly old woman,
      Was weeping on the way.

    III

    ‘What news? what news, thou silly old woman?
      What news hast them for me?’
    Said she, ‘There’s three squires in Nottingham town
      To-day is condemn’d to die.’

    IV

    ‘O have they parishes burnt?’ he said,
      ‘Or have they ministers slain?
    Or have they robb’d any virgin,
      Or other men’s wives have ta’en?’--

    V

    ‘They have no parishes burnt, good sir,
      Nor yet have ministers slain,
    Nor have they robbed any virgin,
      Nor other men’s wives have ta’en.’

    VI

    ‘O what have they done?’ said bold Robin Hood,
      ‘I pray thee tell to me.’--
    ‘It’s for slaying of the King’s fallow deer,
      Bearing their long bows with thee.’--

    VII

    ‘Dost thou not mind, old woman,’ he said,
      ‘Since thou made me sup and dine?
    By the truth of my body,’ quoth bold Robin Hood,
      ‘You could tell it in no better time.’

    VIII

    Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
      _With a link a down and a day_,
    And there he met with a silly old palmer,
      Was walking along the highway.

    IX

    ‘What news? what news, thou silly old man?
      What news, I do thee pray?’--
    Said he, ‘Three squires in Nottingham town
      Are condemned to die this day.’--

    X

    ‘Come change thy apparel with me, old man,
      Come change thy apparel for mine;
    Here is forty shillings in good silver,
      Go drink it in beer or wine.’--

    XI

    ‘O thine apparel is good,’ he said,
      ‘And mine is ragged and torn;
    Wherever you go, wherever you ride,
      Laugh ne’er an old man to scorn.’--

    XII

    ‘Come change thy apparel with me, old churl,
      Come change thy apparel with mine;
    Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold,
      Go feast thy brethren with wine.’

    XIII

    Then he put on the old man’s hat,
      It stood full high on the crown:
    ‘The first bold bargain that I come at,
      It shall make thee come down.’

    XIV

    Then he put on the old man’s cloak,
      Was patch’d black, blue, and red;
    He thought no shame, all the day long,
      To wear the bags of bread.

    XV

    Then he put on the old man’s breeks,
      Was patch’d from ballup[1014] to side;
    ‘By the truth of my body,’ bold Robin can say,
      ‘This man lov’d little pride!’

    XVI

    Then he put on the old man’s hose,
      Were patch’d from knee to wrist;
    ‘By the truth of my body,’ said bold Robin Hood,
      ‘I’d laugh if I had any list[1015].’

    XVII

    Then he put on the old man’s shoes,
      Were patch’d both beneath and aboon;
    Then Robin Hood swore a solemn oath,
      ‘It’s good habit that makes a man!’

    XVIII

    Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
      _With a link a down and a down_,
    And there he met with the proud Sheríff,
      Was walking along the town.

    XIX

    ‘O save, O save, O Sheriff,’ he said,
      ‘O save, and you may see!
    And what will you give to a silly old man
      To-day will your hangman be?’

    XX

    ‘Some suits, some suits,’ the Sheriff he said,
      ‘Some suits I’ll give to thee;
    Some suits, some suits, and pence thirteen
      To-day’s a hangman’s fee.’

    XXI

    Then Robin he turns him round about,
      And jumps from stock to stone;
    ‘By the truth of my body,’ the Sheriff he said,
      ‘That’s well jumpt, thou nimble old man.’--

    XXII

    ‘I was ne’er a hangman in all my life,
      Nor yet intends to trade;
    But curst be he,’ said bold Robin,
      ‘That first a hangman was made!

    XXIII

    ‘I’ve a bag for meal, and a bag for malt,
      And a bag for barley and corn;
    A bag for bread, and a bag for beef,
      And a bag for my little small horn.

    XXIV

    ‘I have a horn in my pockèt,
      I got it from Robin Hood,
    And still when I set it to my mouth,
      For thee it blows little good.’--

    XXV

    ‘O wind thy horn, thou proud fellòw,
      Of thee I have no doubt;
    I wish that thou give such a blast
      Till both thy eyes fall out.’

    XXVI

    The first loud blast that he did blow,
      He blew both loud and shrill;
    A hundred and fifty of Robin Hood’s men
      Came riding over the hill.

    XXVII

    The next loud blast that he did give,
      He blew both loud and amain;
    And quickly sixty of Robin Hood’s men
      Came shining over the plain.

    XXVIII

    ‘O who are yon,’ the Sheriff he said,
      ‘Come tripping over the lee?’
    ‘They’re my attendants,’ brave Robin did say,
      ‘They’ll pay a visit to thee.’

    XXIX

    They took the gallows from the slack[1016],
      They set it in the glen,
    They hang’d the proud Sheriff on that,
      And releas’d their own three men.

FOOTNOTES:

[1014] ballup = front, or flap.

[1015] list = inclination, desire for it.

[1016] slack = hollow, dell.




_123. Robin Hood’s Golden Prize_


    I

    I have heard talk of bold Robin Hood,
      And of brave Little John,
    Of Friar Tuck, and Will Scarlet,
      Locksley, and Maid Marion.

    II

    But such a tale as this before
      I think there was never none;
    For Robin Hood disguised himself,
      And to the wood is gone.

    III

    Like to a friar bold Robin Hood
      Was accouter’d in his array;
    With hood, gown, beads and crucifix,
      He pass’d upon the way.

    IV

    He had not gone miles two or three,
      But it was his chance to spy
    Two lusty priests, clad all in black,
      Come riding gallantly.

    V

    ‘Benedicite,’ then said Robin Hood,
      ‘Some pity on me take;
    Cross you my hand with a silver groat,
      For Our dear Ladye’s sake!

    VI

    ‘For I have been wand’ring all this day,
      And nothing could I get;
    Not so much as one poor cup of drink,
      Nor bit of bread to eat.’

    VII

    ‘By my holydame,’ the priests repli’d,
      ‘We never a penny have;
    For we this morning have been robb’d,
      And could no money save.’

    VIII

    ‘I am much afraid’ said bold Robin Hood,
      ‘That you both do tell a lye;
    And now before that you go hence,
      I am resolv’d to try.’

    IX

    When as the priests heard him say so,
      They rode away amain;
    But Robin betook him to his heels,
      And soon overtook them again.

    X

    Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both,
      And pull’d them down from their horse:
    ‘O spare, us, friar!’ the priests cry’d out,
      ‘On us have some remorse!’

    XI

    ‘You said you had no money,’ quoth he;
      ‘Wherefore without delay
    We three will fall down on our knees,
      And for money we will pray.’

    XII

    The priests they could not him gainsay,
      But down they kneel’d with speed;
    ‘Send us, O send us,’ then quoth they,
      ‘Some money to serve our need!’

    XIII

    The priests did pray with mournful chear,
      Sometimes their hands did wring,
    Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,
      Whilst Robin did merrily sing.

    XIV

    When they had pray’d an hour’s space,
      The priests did still lament;
    Then quoth bold Robin, ‘Now let’s see
      What money heaven hath us sent.

    XV

    ‘We will be sharers all alike
      Of the money that we have;
    And there is never a one of us
      That his fellows shall deceive.’

    XVI

    The priests their hands in their pockets put,
      But money would find none:
    ‘We’ll search ourselves,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Each other, one by one.’

    XVII

    Then Robin took pains to search them both,
      And he found good store of gold;
    Five hundred pieces presently
      Upon the grass was told.

    XVIII

    ‘Here’s a brave show,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Such store of gold to see!
    And you shall each one have a part,
      ’Cause you pray’d so heartily.’

    XIX

    He gave them fifty pound a-piece,
      And the rest for himself did keep;
    The priests they durst not speak one word,
      But they sighèd wondrous deep.

    XX

    With that the priests rose up from their knees,
      And thought to have parted so;
    ‘Nay, stay,’ said Robin Hood, ‘one thing more
      I have to say ere you go.

    XXI

    ‘You shall be sworn,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Upon this holy grass,
    That you will never tell lies again,
      Which way soever you pass.

    XXII

    ‘The second oath that you here must take,
      All the days of your lives
    You never shall tempt maids to sin,
      Nor covet other men’s wives.

    XXIII

    ‘The last oath you shall take, it is this,
      Be charitable to the poor;
    Say you have met with a holy friar,
      And I desire no more.’

    XXIV

    He set them upon their horses again,
      And away then they did ride;
    And he return’d to the merry green-wood,
      With great joy, mirth and pride.




_124. The Noble Fisherman_

_or Robin Hood’s Preferment_


    I

    In summer time, when leaves grow green,
      When they doe grow both green and long,
    Of a bold outlaw call’d Robin Hood
      It is of him I sing this song.

    II

    When the lilly leafe and the elephant[1017]
      Doth bud and spring with a merry good cheere,
    This outlaw was weary of the wood-side,
      And chasing of the fallow deere.

    III

    ‘The fisherman brave more mony have
      Then any merchant, two or three;
    Therefore I will to Scarboro’ goe,
      That I a fisherman brave may be.’

    IV

    This outlaw call’d his merry men all,
      As they sate under the green-wood tree:
    If any of you have gold to spend,
      I pray you heartily spend it with me.

    V

    ‘Now,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’le to Scarboro’ goe,
      It seemes to be a very faire day’--
    He tooke up his inne at a widdow-woman’s house,
      Hard by upon the water gray:

    VI

    Who asked of him, ‘Where wert thou born?
      Or tell to me, where dost thou fare?’--
    ‘I am a poore fisherman,’ saith he then,
      ‘This day intrappèd all in care.’

    VII

    ‘What is thy name, thou fine fellòw?
      I pray thee heartily tell to me’;
    ‘In mine own country where I was born,
      Men called me Simon over the Lee.’

    VIII

    ‘Simon, Simon,’ said the good wife,
      ‘I wish thou maist well brook[1018] thy name’;
    The outlaw was ware of her courtesie,
      And rejoyc’d he had got such a dame.

    IX

    ‘Simon, wilt thou be my man?
      And good round wages I’le give thee;
    I have as good a ship of mine owne
      As any sayle upon the sea.

    X

    ‘Anchors and planks thou shalt want none,
      Masts and ropes that are so long’--
    ‘And if that you thus furnish me,’
      Said Simon, ‘nothing shall goe wrong.’

    XI

    They pluckt up anchor, and away did sayle,
      More of a day then two or three;
    When others cast in their baited hooks,
      The bare lines into the sea cast he.

    XII

    ‘It will be long,’ said the master then,
      ‘Ere this great lubber do thrive on the sea;
    I’le assure you he shall have no part of our fish,
      For in truth he is of no part worthỳ.’

    XIII

    ‘O woe is me,’ said Simon then,
      ‘This day that ever I came here!
    I wish I were in Plomton Parke,
      In chasing of the fallow deere.

    XIV

    ‘For every clowne laughs me to scorne,
      And they by me set nought at all;
    If I had them in Plomton Park,
      I would set as little by them all.’

    XV

    They pluckt up anchor, and away did sayle,
      More of a day then two or three;
    But Simon spied a ship of warre,
      That sayld towards them most valourouslie.

    XVI

    ‘O woe is me,’ said the master then,
      ‘This day that ever I was borne!
    For all our fish we have got to-day
      Is every bit lost and forlorne[1019].

    XVII

    ‘For your French robbers on the sea,
      They will not spare of us one man,
    But carry us to the coast of France,
      And ligge us in the prison strong.’

    XVIII

    But Simon said, ‘Doe not feare them,
      Neither, master, take you no care;
    Give me my bent bow in my hand,
      And never a Frenchman will I spare.’--

    XIX

    ‘Hold thy peace, thou long lubber,
      For thou art nought but braggs and boast;
    If I should cast thee over-board,
      There were nothing but a lubber lost.’

    XX

    Simon grew angry at these words,
      And so angry then was he
    That he tooke his bent bow in his hand,
      And to the ship-hatch goeth he.

    XXI

    ‘Master, tye me to the mast,’ saith he,
      ‘That at my mark I may stand fair,
    And give me my bended bow in my hand,
      And never a Frenchman will I spare.’

    XXII

    He drew his arrow to the very head,
      And drew it with all might and maine,
    And straightway, in the twinkling of an eye,
      To the Frenchman’s heart the arrow did gain.

    XXIII

    The Frenchman fell downe on the ship-hatch,
      And under the hatches down below;
    Another Frenchman that him espy’d
      The dead corps into the sea doth throw.

    XXIV

    ‘O master, loose me from the mast,
      And for them all take you no care;
    And give me my bent bow in my hand,
      And never a Frenchman will I spare!’

    XXV

    Then straight they did board the Frenchman’s ship,
      They lying all dead in their sight;
    They found within the ship of warre
      Twelve thousand pound of money bright.

    XXVI

    ‘One halfe of the ship,’ said Simon then,
      ‘I’le give to my dame and children small;
    The other halfe of the ship I’le bestow
      On you that are my fellowes all.’

    XXVII

    But now bespake the master then,
      ‘For so, Simon, it shall not be;
    For you have won her with your own hand,
      And the owner of it you shall bee.’--

    XXVIII

    ‘It shall be so, as you have said;
      And, with this gold, for the opprest
    An habitation I will build,
      Where they shall live in peace and rest.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1017] elephant = a weed of the scabious order.

[1018] brook = enjoy, or earn the name of Simon, as a fisherman.

[1019] forlorne = lost.




_125. The Death of Robin Hood_


    I

    When Robin Hood and Little John
        _Down a-down, a-down, a-down_
      Went o’er yon bank of broom,
    Said Robin Hood bold to Little John,
      ‘We have shot for many a pound
        _Hey, down a-down, a-down!_

    II

    ‘But I am not able to shoot one shot more,
      My broad arrows will not flee;
    But I have a cousin lives down below,
      Please God, she will bleed me.

    III

    ‘I will never eat nor drink,’ he said,
      ‘Nor meat will do me good,
    Till I have been to merry Kirkleys
      My veins for to let blood.

    IV

    ‘The dame prior is my aunt’s daughter,
      And nigh unto my kin;
    I know she wo’ld me no harm this day,
      For all the world to win.’

    V

    ‘That I rede[1020] not,’ said Little John,
      ‘Master, by th’assent of me,
    Without half a hundred of your best bowmen
      You take to go with yee.’--

    VI

    ‘An thou be afear’d, thou Little John,
      At home I rede thee be.’--
    ‘An you be wroth, my deare mastèr
      You shall never hear more of me.’

    VII

    Now Robin is gone to merry Kirkleys
      And knockèd upon the pin:
    Up then rose Dame Priorèss
      And let good Robin in.

    VIII

    Then Robin gave to Dame Priorèss
      Twenty pound in gold,
    And bade her spend while that did last,
      She sho’ld have more when she wo’ld.

    IX

    ‘Will you please to sit down, cousin Robin,
      And drink some beer with me?’--
    ‘No, I will neither eat nor drink
      Till I am blooded by thee.’

    X

    Down then came Dame Priorèss
      Down she came in that ilk[1021],
    With a pair of blood-irons in her hands,
      Were wrappèd all in silk.

    XI

    ‘Set a chafing-dish to the fire,’ she said,
      ‘And strip thou up thy sleeve.’
    --I hold him but an unwise man
      That will no warning ’leeve[1022]!

    XII

    She laid the blood-irons to Robin’s vein,
      Alack, the more pitye!
    And pierc’d the vein, and let out the blood
      That full red was to see.

    XIII

    And first it bled the thick, thick blood,
      And afterwards the thin,
    And well then wist good Robin Hood
      Treason there was within.

    XIV

    And there she blooded bold Robin Hood
      While one drop of blood wou’d run;
    There did he bleed the live-long day,
      Until the next at noon.

    XV

    He bethought him then of a casement there,
      Being lockèd up in the room,
    But was so weak he could not leap,
      He could not get him down.

    XVI

    He bethought him then of his bugle-horn,
      That hung low down to his knee;
    He set his horn unto his mouth,
      And blew out weak blasts three.

    XVII

    Then Little John he heard the horn
      Where he sat under a tree:
    ‘I fear my master is now near dead,
      He blows so wearilye.’

    XVIII

    Little John is gone to merry Kirkleys,
      As fast as he can dree;
    And when he came to merry Kirkleys,
      He broke locks two or three:

    XIX

    Until he came bold Robin to see,
      Then he fell on his knee;
    ‘A boon, a boon!’ cries Little John,
      ‘Master, I beg of thee!’

    XX

    ‘What is that boon,’ said Robin Hood,
      ‘Little John, thou begs of me?’--
    ‘It is to burn fair Kirkleys-hall,
      And all their nunnerye.’

    XXI

    ‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,
      ‘That boon I’ll not grant thee;
    I never hurt woman in all my life,
      Nor men in their company.

    XXII

    ‘I never hurt maid in all my time,
      Nor at mine end shall it be;
    But give me my bent bow in my hand,
      And a broad arrow I’ll let flee;
    And where this arrow is taken up
      There shall my grave digg’d be.

    XXIII

    ‘But lay me a green sod under my head,
      And another at my feet;
    And lay my bent bow at my side,
      Which was my music sweet;
    And make my grave of gravel and green,
      Which is most right and meet.

    XXIV

    ‘Let me have length and breadth enough,
      And under my head a sod;
    That they may say when I am dead,
      --_Here lies bold Robin Hood!_’

FOOTNOTES:

[1020] rede = advise.

[1021] in that ilk = in that same (moment), then and there.

[1022] ’leeve = believe.




BOOK VI




_126. Durham Field_


    I

    Lordings, listen, and hold you still;
      Hearken to me a spell;
    I shall you tell of the fairest battell
      That ever in England befell.

    II

    It befell in Edward the Third’s dayes,
      When in England he ware the crowne,
    That all the chief chivalry of England
      They buskèd[1023] and made them bowne[1024].

    III

    They have chosen all the best archers
      That in England might be found,
    And all was to fight with the King of France,
      Within a litle stounde[1025].

    IV

    And when our King was over the water,
      And on the salt sea gone,
    Then tydings into Scotland came
      That all England was gone.

    V

    Bowes and arrowes they all were forth;
      At home was not left a man
    But shepards and millers both,
      And preists with shaven crownes.

    VI

    Then the King of Scotts in a study stood,
      As he was a man of great might;
    He sware he would hold his parlament in leeve[1026] London,
      If he cold ryde there right.

    VII

    Then bespake a Squire, of Scottland borne,
      And sayd, ‘My leege, ha’ peace,
    Before you come to leeve London,
      Full sore you’le rue that race.

    VIII

    ‘Ther beene bold yeomen in merry England,
      Husbandmen stiffe and strong;
    Sharpè swords they done weare,
      Bearen bowes and arrowes longe.’

    IX

    The King was angrye at that word;
      A long sword out he drew,
    And there before his royall companye
      His ownè Squire hee slew.

    X

    Hard hansell[1027] had the Scottes that day,
      That wrought them woe enoughe,
    For a Scott then durst not speake a word
      Ffor hanging att a boughe.

    XI

    ‘The Earle of Anguish[1028], where art thou?
      In my coate-armour thou shalt bee,
    And thou shalt lead the forward
      Thorow the English countrye.

    XII

    ‘Take thee Yorke,’ then sayd the King,
      ‘In stead wheras it doth stand;
    I’le make thy eldest sonne after thee
      Heyre of all Northumberland.

    XIII

    ‘The Earle of Buchan, where be yee?
      In my coate-armour thou shalt bee;
    The high Peak and all Darbyshire
      I give it thee to thy fee.’

    XIV

    The famous Douglas then came in,
      Saies, ‘What shall my meede bee?
    And I will lead the vanward, lord,
      Thorow the English countrye.’

    XV

    ‘Take thee Worster,’ sayd the King,
      ‘Tuxburye, Killingworth, Burton on Trent;
    Doe thou not say another day
      But I gave thee lands and rent.

    XVI

    ‘Sir Richard of Edenborrow, where are yee?
      A wise man in this warr!
    I’le give thee Bristow and the shire
      The time that wee come there.

    XVII

    ‘Thou, my lord Nevill, where art thou?
      Thou must in this warres bee;
    I’le give thee Shrewsburye,’ saies the King,
      ‘And Coventrye faire and free.

    XVIII

    ‘My lord of Hambleton[1029], where art thou?
      Thou art of my kin full nye;
    I’le give thee Lincolne and Lincolneshire,
      And that’s enoughe for thee.’

    XIX

    By then came in William Douglas,
      As breeme[1030] as any bore;
    He kneelèd him downe upon his knees,
      In his heart he sighèd sore.

    XX

    ‘I have servèd you, my lovelye liege,
      This thirty winters and four,
    And in the Scottish Marches
      Have beene wounded and beaten sore.

    XXI

    ‘For all the good service that I have done,
      What now shall my meed bee?
    And I will lead the vanward
      Thorow the English countrye.’

    XXII

    ‘Now aske on, Douglas,’ said the King,
      ‘And granted it shall bee.’--
    ‘Why then, I aske litle London,’ saies Douglas,
      ‘Gotten gif that it bee.’

    XXIII

    The King was wroth, and rose away,
      Saies, ‘Nay, that cannot bee!
    For that I will keepe for my cheefe chamber,
      Gotten gif that it bee.

    XXIV

    ‘But take thee North Wales and Weschester,
      The countrye all round about,
    And rewarded thou shalt bee,
      Of that take thou noe doubt.’

    XXV

    Five score knights he made on a day,
      And dubb’d them with his hands;
    Rewarded them right worthilye
      With the townes in merry England.

    XXVI

    And when the fresh knights they were made,
      To battell they buske[1031] them bowne[1032];
    Jamès Douglas he went before,
      And he thought to have wonnen him shoone.

    XXVII

    But they were mett in a morning of May
      With the comminaltye of litle England;
    But there scapèd never a man away,
      Through the might of Christès hand.

    XXVIII

    But all onely Jamès Douglas;
      In Durham in the ffeild
    An arrow stroke him in the thye;
      Fast flinges he towards the King.

    XXIX

    The King looked toward litle Durham,
      Saies, ‘All things is not weel!
    For James Douglas beares an arrow in his thye,
      The head of it is of steele.

    XXX

    ‘How now, James?’ then said the King,
      ‘How now, how may this bee?
    And where beene all thy merrymen
      That thou tooke hence with thee?’

    XXXI

    ‘But cease, my King,’ saies James Douglas,
      ‘Alive is not left a man!’
    ‘Now by my faith,’ saies the King of Scotts,
      ‘That gate was evil gone.

    XXXII

    ‘But I’le revenge thy quarrell well,
      And of that thou may be fain;
    For one Scott will beate five Englishmen,
      If they meeten them on the plaine.’

    XXXIII

    ‘Now hold your tongue,’ saies James Douglas,
      ‘For in faith that is not soe;
    For one English man is worth five Scotts,
      When they meeten together thoe[1033].

    XXXIV

    ‘For they are as eager men to fight
      As a faulcon upon a prey;
    Alas! if ever they winne the vanward,
      There scapes noe man away.’

    XXXV

    ‘O peace thy talking,’ said the King,
      ‘They bee but English knaves,
    But shepards and millers both,
      And priestès with their staves.’

    XXXVI

    The King sent forth one of his heralds of armes
      To vew the Englishmen:
    ‘Be of good cheere,’ the herald said,
      ‘For against one we be ten.’

    XXXVII

    ‘Who leads those lads?’ said the King of Scotts,
      ‘Thou herald, tell thou mee’:
    The herald said, ‘The Bishop of Durham
      Is captaine of that companye.

    XXXVIII

    ‘For the Bishop hath spred the King’s banner,
       And to battell he buskes him bowne’;
    ‘I sweare by St Andrewes bones,’ saies the King,
      ‘I’le rapp that priest on the crowne!’

    XXXIX

    The King look’d towards litle Durham,
      And that hee well beheld,
    That the Earle Percy was well arm’d,
      With his battell-axe entred the feild.

    XL

    The King look’d again towards litle Durham,
      Four ancyents[1034] there saw he;
    There were two standards, six in a valley,
      He cold not see them with his eye.

    XLI

    My Lord of Yorke was one of them,
      My Lord of Carlile was the other,
    And my Lord Fitzwilliams,
      The Bishop came with the other.

    XLII

    The Bishop of Durham commanded his men,
      And shortlye he them bade,
    That never a man shold goe to fight
      Till he had served his God.

    XLIII

    Five hundred priests said mass that day
      In Durham in the field,
    And afterwards, as I hard say,
      They bare both spear and shield.

    XLIV

    The Bishop orders himselfe to fight,
      With his battell-axe in his hand;
    He said, ‘This day now I will fight
      As long as I can stand!’

    XLV

    ‘And soe will I,’ sayd my Lord of Carlile,
      ‘In this faire morning gay’;
    ‘And soe will I,’ said my Lord Fitzwilliams,
      ‘For Mary, that mild may[1035].’

    XLVI

    Our English archers bent their bowes
      Shortly and anon;
    They shot over the Scottish oast
      And scantly toucht a man.

    XLVII

    ‘Hold downe your hands,’ sayd the Bishop of Durham,
      ‘My archers good and true’!
    The second shootè that they shott,
      Full sore the Scots it rue.

    XLVIII

    The Bishop of Durham spoke on hie,
      That both partyes might heare:
    ‘Be of good cheere, my merrymen all,
      They flyen and changen their cheere!’

    XLIX

    But as they saidden, see they didden,
      They fell on heapès hie;
    Our Englishmen laid on with their bowes,
      As fast as they might drie.

    L

    The King of Scotts in a study stood
      Amongst his companye;
    An arrow stoke him thoro’ the nose,
      And thoro’ his armorye.

    LI

    The King went to a marsh-side
      And light beside his steede;
    He leanèd him downe on his swordhilts,
      To let his nosè bleede.

    LII

    There follow’d him a yeaman of merry England,
      His name was John of Coplande:
    ‘Yeeld thee, traytor!’ saies Coplande then,
      ‘Thy life lies in my hand.’

    LIII

    ‘How shold I yeeld me,’ sayes the King,
      ‘And thou art noe gentleman?’--
    ‘Noe, by my troth,’ sayes Copland there,
      ‘I am but a poore yeaman.

    LIV

    ‘What art thou better then I, Sir King?
      Tell me if that thou can!
    What art thou better then I, Sir King,
      Now we be but man to man?’

    LV

    The King smote angerly at Copland,
      Angerly in that stonde;
    Then Copland was a bold yeaman,
      And bore the King to the ground.

    LVI

    He sett the King on a palfrey,
      Himselfe upon a steede;
    He tooke him by the bridle-rayne,
      Towards London he can him lead.

    LVII

    And when to London that he came,
      The King from Ffrance was come home,
    And there unto the King of Scotts
      He sayd these words anon.--

    LVIII

    ‘How like you my shepards and my millers?
      My priests with shaven crownes?’--
    ‘By my fayth, they are the sorest fighters
      That ever I mett on the ground.

    LIX

    ‘There was never a yeaman in merry England
      But was worth a Scottish knight.’--
    ‘Ay, by my troth,’ said King Edward, and laughe,
      ‘For you fought all against the right.’

    LX

    But now the prince of merry England,
      Worthilye under his sheelde,
    Hath taken captive the King of France,
      At Poytiers in the field.

    LXI

    The prince did present his father
      With the lovely King of France,
    And forward of his journey he is gone:
      God send us all good chance!

    LXII

    Sayd the King of Scots to the King of France,
      ‘Well met, brother, too soone!
    Christ leeve that I had taken my way
      Unto the court of Roome!’

    LXIII

    ‘And soe wold I,’ said the King of France,
      ‘When I came over the streame,
    That I had taken my journey
      Unto Jerusalem!’

    LXIV

    Thus ends the battell of fair Durham,
      In one morning of May;
    The battells of Cressey and of Poytiers,
      All within one monthes day.

    LXV

    Then was wealthe and welfare in merry England,
      Solaces, game, and glee,
    And every man loved other well,
      And the King loved good yeomanrye.

    LXVI

    But God that made the grasse to growe,
      And leaves on greenwoode tree,
    Now save and keepe our noble King,
      And maintaine good yeomanrye!

FOOTNOTES:

[1023] buskèd = dressed.

[1024] bowne = ready.

[1025] stounde = time.

[1026] leeve = dear, pleasant.

[1027] hansell = foretaste.

[1028] Anguish = Angus.

[1029] Hambleton = Hamilton.

[1030] breeme = fierce.

[1031] buske = addressed.

[1032] bowne = ready.

[1033] thoe = those.

[1034] ancyents = ensigns.

[1035] may = maiden.




_127. The Battle of Otterburn_


    I

    It fell about the Lammas tide
      When husbands[1036] win their hay,
    The doughty Douglas bound him to ride
      In England to take a prey.

    II

    He has chosen the Graemes, and the Lindsays light,
      And the gallant Gordons gay;
    And the Earl of Fyfe withouten strife,
      He’s bound him over Solwày.

    III

    They come in over Ottercap Hill,
      So down by Rodeley Cragge;
    Upon Green Leyton they lighted down
      Styrande[1037] many a stagge.

    IV

    And they have brent[1038] the dales of Tyne,
      And harryed Bamborowe shire,
    And the Otter Dale they have brent it hale[1039]
      And left it a’ on fire.

    V

    Then spake a berne[1040] upon the bent[1041],
      Of comfort that was not cold,
    And said, ‘We have brent Northumberland,
      We have all wealth in hold.

    VI

    ‘Now we have harryed all Bamborowe shire,
      All the wealth in the world have we:
    I rede[1042] we ryde to Newcastell
      So still and stalworthlye.’

    VII

    Upon the morrow, when it was day,
      The standards shone full bright;
    To Newcastell they took the way,
      And thither they came full right.

    VIII

    To Newcastell when that they came,
      The Douglas cry’d on hyght:
    ‘Harry Percy, an thou bidest within,
      Come to the field, and fight!--

    IX

    ‘For we have brent Northumberland,
      Thy herytage good and right;
    And syne my lodging I have ta’en,
      With my brand dubb’d many a knight.’

    X

    Sir Harry Percy came to the walls
      The Scottish host for to see,
    Sayd, ‘An thou hast brent Northumberland,
      Full sore it rueth me.

    XI

    ‘If thou hast haryed all Bamborowe shire,
      Thou hast done me great envye;
    For this trespasse thou hast me done
      The tone[1043] of us shall die.’

    XII

    ‘Where shall I bide thee?’ sayd the Douglas,
      ‘Or where wilt thou come to me?’--
    ‘But gae ye up to Otterbourne,
      And wait there dayès three.

    XIII

    ‘The roe full rekeles[1044] there she rins,
      To make the game and glee;
    The falcon and the phesant both,
      To fend[1045] thy men and thee.

    XIV

    ‘There may’st thou have thy wealth at will,
      Well lodg’d thou there may’st be:
    It shall not be long ere I come thee till[1046],’
      Sayd Sir Harry Percy.

    XV

    ‘There shall I bide thee,’ sayd the Douglas,
      ‘By the faith of my bodye.’--
    ‘There shall I come,’ said Sir Harry Percy,
      ‘My troth I plight to thee.’

    XVI

    A pipe of wine over the wall,
      He gave them [to their pay[1047]],
    There he made the Douglas drinke,
      And all his host that day.

    XVII

    The Douglas turn’d him homeward again,
      [And rode withouten stay];
    He pyght[1048] his standard at Otterbourne
      Upon a Wedensday.

    XVIII

    And syne he warned his men to go
      To choose their geldings grass;
    [And he that had no man to send]
      His own servant he was.

    XIX

    A Scottish knight hoved[1049] on the bent[1050]
      At watch, I dare well say,
    So was he ware of the noble Percy
      In the dawning of the day.

    XX

    He pryck’d to his pavilion[1051] door
      As fast as he might run:
    ‘Awaken, Douglas!’ cried the knight,
      ‘For his sake that sits in throne!

    XXI

    ‘Awaken, Douglas!’ cried the knight,
      ‘For thou mayst wake with wynne[1052]!
    Yonder have I spied the proud Percy,
      And seven standards with him.’

    XXII

    ‘Now by my troth,’ the Douglas sayd,
      ‘It is but a faynèd[1053] tale!
    He durst not look on my broad banner
      [Were all England in] hail!

    XXIII

    ‘Was I not yesterday at Newcastell
      That stands so fair on Tyne?
    For all the men the Percy had
      He could not gar me to dine[1054].’

    XXIV

    He stepp’d out at his pavilion-door
      To look an it were lease[1055]:
    ‘Array you, lordings, one and all!
      For here begins no peace.

    XXV

    ‘The Earl of Menteith, thou art my eme[1056],
      The vaward[1057] I give to thee:
    The Earl of Huntley, cante[1058] and keen,
      Take him to go with thee.

    XXVI

    ‘The Lord of Buchan, in armure bright,
      On the other side he shall be;
    Lord Johnstone and Lord Maxwell
      They two shall go with me.

    XXVII

    ‘Swynton, fair fall upon your pride!
      To battle make you bowne[1059].--
    Sir Davy Scott, Sir Walter Steward,
      Sir John of Agerstone!’

    XXVIII

    The Percy came before his host,
      He was ever a gentil knight:
    Upon the Douglas loud can he cry
      ‘I will hold that I have hyght[1060].’

    XXIX

    ‘For thou hast brent Northumberland,
      And done me great envye,
    For this trespasse thou hast me done
      The tone of us shall die.’

    XXX

    The Douglas answer’d him again
      With great words upon hie,
    And sayd, ‘I have twenty against thy one:
      Behold, and thou mayst see!’

    XXXI

    With that the Percy was grievèd sore,
      Forsooth as I you say:
    He lighted down upon his foot
      And schoote[1061] his horse away.

    XXXII

    Every man saw that he did so,
      That ryal was ever in rowghte[1062]:
    Every man schoote his horse him fro
      And lighted him round about.

    XXXIII

    Sir Harry Percy took the field
      Even thus, as I you say;
    Jesus Christe in hevyn on height
      Did help him well that day.

    XXXIV

    But nine thousand, there was no more--
      The chronicle will not layne[1063]--
    Forty thousand of Scots and four
      That day fought them again[1064].

    XXXV

    But when the battel began to join,
      In haste there came a knight;
    And letters fair forth hath he ta’en,
      And thus he sayd full right:

    XXXVI

    ‘My lord your father greets you well,
      With many a noble knight;
    He doth desire you now to bide,
      That he may see this fight.

    XXXVII

    ‘The Baron of Graystoke is out of the west
      With a noble companye:
    All they lodge at your father’s this night,
      And the battel fayn would they see.’

    XXXVIII

    ‘For Jesus’ love,’ sayd Sir Harry Percy,
      ‘That died for you and me,
    Wend to my lord my father agayn,
      Say thou saw me not with thee.

    XXXIX

    ‘My troth is plight to yon Scottish knight,
      --It nede’s me not to layne--
    That I should bide him upon this bent,
      And I have his troth agayn.

    XL

    ‘And if that I wend off this growende[1065],
      Forsooth, unfoughten away,
    He would call me but a coward knight
      In his land another day.

    XLI

    ‘Yet had I liefer be rynde[1066] and rent,
      --By Mary, that mickle may[1067]!--
    Than ever my manhood be reproved
      With a Scot another day.

    XLII

    ‘Wherefore shoot, archers, for my sake!
      And let sharp arrows flee.
    Minstrels, play up for your waryson[1068]!
      And well quit it shall be.

    XLIII

    ‘Every man thynke on his true-love,
      And mark him to the Trinitye:
    For unto God I make mine avowe
      This day will I not flee.’

    XLIV

    The blodye herte in the Douglas arms
      His standard stood on hie,
    That every man might full wel knowe;
      Bysyde stood starrès three.

    XLV

    The white lion on the English part,
      Forsooth as I you sayn,
    The lucettes[1069] and the cressants both
      The Scot fought them again.

    XLVI

    Upon Seynt Andrewe loud can they crye,
      And thrice they showt on hyght,
    Syne mark’d them on our English men,
      As I have told you right.

    XLVII

    Seynt George the bryght, Our Ladye’s knyght,
      To name they were full fayne;
    Our English men they cry’d on hyght,
      And thrice they shot agayne.

    XLVIII

    With that sharp arrows began to flee,
      I tell you in certayne:
    Men of arms began to joyne,
      Many a doughty man was slayne.

    XLIX

    The Percy and the Douglas met
      That either of other was fayne;
    They swapp’d[1070] together while they swet[1071]
      With swords of fyne Collayne[1072]:

    L

    Until the blood from their bassonets[1073] ran
      As the roke[1074] doth in the rayne;
    ‘Yield thou to me,’ sayd the Douglas,
      ‘Or elles thou shall be slayne.

    LI

    ‘For I see by thy bryght bassonet
      Thou art some man of myght:
    And so I do by thy burnysh’d brand,
      Thou’rt an earl or elles a knyght.’

    LII

    ‘By my good faith,’ said the noble Percye,
      ‘Now hast thou rede full ryght;
    Yet will I never yield me to thee,
      While I may stand and fyght.’

    LIII

    They swapp’d together, while that they swet,
      With swordès sharp and long;
    Each on other so fast they bette[1075],
      Their helms came in pieces down.

    LIV

    The Percy was a man of strength,
      I tell you in this stounde[1076]:
    He smote the Douglas at the sword’s length
      That he fell to the grounde.

    LV

    The Douglas call’d to his little foot-page,
      And sayd, ‘Run speedilye,
    And fetch my ain dear sister’s son,
      Sir Hugh Montgomery.

    LVI

    ‘My nephew good,’ the Douglas sayd,
      ‘What recks the death of ane?
    Last night I dream’d a dreary dream,
      And I ken the day’s thy ain.

    LVII

    ‘My wound is deep: I am fayn to sleep,
      Take thou the vaward of me,
    And hide me by the bracken bush
      Grows on yon lilye-lee.’

    LVIII

    He has lifted up that noble lord
      With the saut tears in his e’e;
    He has hidden him in the bracken bush
      That his merry men might not see.

    LIX

    The standards stood still on eke side;
      With many a grievous groan
    They fought that day, and all the night;
      Many a doughtye man was slone.

    LX

    The morn was clear, the day drew nie,
      --Yet stiffly in stowre[1077] they stood;
    Echone hewing another while they might drie,
      Till aye ran down the blood.

    LXI

    The Percy and Montgomery met
      That either of other was fayn:
    They swappèd swords, and they two met
      Till the blood ran down between.

    LXII

    ‘Now yield thee, yield thee, Percy,’ he said,
      ‘Or I vow I’le lay thee low!’
    ‘To whom shall I yield?’ said Earl Percy,
      ‘Now I see it maun be so.’--

    LXIII

    ‘Thou shalt not yield to lord nor loun,
      Nor yet shalt thou to me;
    But yield thee to the bracken bush
      Grows on yon lilye-lee.’--

    LXIV

    ‘I winna yield to a bracken bush,
      Nor yet I will to a brere[1078];
    But I would yield to Earl Douglas,
      Or Montgomery if he was here.’

    LXV

    As soon as he knew Montgomery,
      He stuck his sword’s point in ground;
    The Montgomery was a courteous knight,
      And quickly took him by the hand.

    LXVI

    There was slayne upon the Scottès’ side,
      For sooth and certaynlye,
    Sir James a Douglas there was slayne,
      That day that he cou’d dye.

    LXVII

    The Earl of Menteith he was slayne,
      And gryselye[1079] groan’d on the groun’;
    Sir Davy Scott, Sir Walter Steward,
      Sir John of Agerstone.

    LXVIII

    Sir Charlès Murray in that place
      That never a foot would flee;
    Sir Hew Maxwell, a lord he was,
      With the Douglas did he dee.

    LXIX

    There was slayne upon the Scottès’ side
      For sooth as I you say,
    Of four and fifty thousand Scottes
      Went but eighteen away.

    LXX

    There was slayne upon the English side
      For sooth and certaynlye,
    A gentle Knight, Sir John Fitzhughe,
      It was the more pitye.

    LXXI

    Sir James Hardbotell there was slayne,
      For him their heartes were sore;
    The gentle Lovell there was slayne,
      That the Percy’s standard bore.

    LXXII

    There was slayne upon the English part
      For sooth as I you say,
    Of ninè thousand English men
      Five hundred came away.

    LXXIII

    The others slayne were in the field;
      Christ keep their souls from woe!
    Seeing there was so fewè friends
      Against so many a foe.

    LXXIV

    Then on the morn they made them bieres
      Of birch and hazell gray:
    Many a widow with weeping teares
      Their makes[1080] they fette[1081] away.

    LXXV

    This fray was fought at Otterbourne,
      Between the night and the day;
    Earl Douglas was buried at the bracken bush,
      And the Percy led captive away.

    LXXVI

    Now let us all for the Percy pray
      To Jesu most of might,
    To bring his soul to the bliss of heaven,
      For he was a gentle knight.

FOOTNOTES:

[1036] husbands = husbandmen.

[1037] Styrande = stirring, rousing.

[1038] brent = burned.

[1039] hale = whole.

[1040] berne = fighting-man.

[1041] bent = coarse grass.

[1042] rede = counsel.

[1043] tone = one of two.

[1044] rekeles = reckless, wild.

[1045] fend = provide for.

[1046] till = to.

[1047] pay = satisfaction.

[1048] pyght = pitched.

[1049] hoved = abode.

[1050] bent = grass.

[1051] pavilion = tent.

[1052] wynne = joy.

[1053] faynèd = feigned.

[1054] gar me to dine = give me my fill, entertain me (at fighting).

[1055] lease = leasing, falsehood.

[1056] eme = uncle.

[1057] vaward = vanguard.

[1058] cante = spirited.

[1059] bowne = ready.

[1060] that I have hyght = what I have promised.

[1061] schoote = thrust, sent quickly.

[1062] ryal in rowghte = royal in rout, a king amongst men.

[1063] layne = conceal.

[1064] them again = against them.

[1065] growende = ground.

[1066] rynde = riven, or flayed.

[1067] mickle may = mighty maid.

[1068] waryson = reward.

[1069] lucettes = luces, pikes (heraldic).

[1070] swapp’d = smote.

[1071] swet = sweated.

[1072] Collayne = Cologne steel.

[1073] bassonets = steel skull-caps.

[1074] roke = reek, mist.

[1075] bette = beat.

[1076] stounde = time.

[1077] stowre = press of battle.

[1078] brere = briar.

[1079] gryselye = in a grisly manner, terribly.

[1080] makes = mates.

[1081] fette = fetched.




_128. Chevy Chase_


    _Fytte I_

    I

    The Percy out of Northumberland,
      An avow to God made he
    That he would hunt in the mountains
      Of Cheviot within days three,
    In the maugre[1082] of doughty Douglas,
      And all that e’er with him be.

    II

    The fattest harts in all Cheviot
      He would kill and carry away.--
    ‘By my faith,’ said the doughty Douglas again,
      ‘I will let[1083] that hunting if I may!’

    III

    Then the Percy out of Banborowe came,
      With him a mighty meinye[1084],
    With fifteen hundred archers bold
      Chosen out of shirès three.

    IV

    This began on a Monday at morn,
      In Cheviot the hills so hye;
    The child may rue that is unborn,
      It was the more pitye.

    V

    The drivers through the woodès went
      [All] for to raise the deer,
    Bowmen bicker’d[1085] upon the bent[1086]
      With their broad arrows clear.

    VI

    Then the wild[1087] thoro’ the woodès went
      On every sidè shear[1088];
    Greyhounds thoro’ the grevès[1089] glent[1090]
      For to kill their deer.

    VII

    This began on Cheviot the hills abune
      Early on a Monenday;
    By that it drew to the hour of noon
      A hundred fat harts dead there lay.

    VIII

    They blew a mort[1091] upon the bent,
      They ’sembled on sidès shear;
    To the quarry[1092] then the Percy went
      To the brittling[1093] of the deer.

    IX

    He said, ‘It was the Douglas’ promise
      This day to meet me here;
    But I wist he would fail, verament!’
      --A great oath the Percy sware.

    X

    At the last a squire of Northumberland
      Lookèd at his hand full nigh;
    He was ware o’ the doughty Douglas coming,
      With him a great meinye.

    XI

    Both with speär, bill and brand,--
      ’Twas a mighty sight to see;
    Hardier men both of heart nor hand
      Were not in Christiantè.

    XII

    They were twenty hundred spearmen good,
      Withouten any fail:
    They were born along by the water o’ Tweed
      I’ the boun’s[1094] o’ Teviotdale.

    XIII

    ‘Leave off the brittling of deer,’ he said;
      ‘To your bows look ye take good heed,
    For sith ye were on your mothers born
      Had ye never so mickle need.’

    XIV

    The doughty Douglas on a steed
      Rode all his men beforn,
    His armour glitter’d as did a gleed[1095],
      Bolder bairn[1096] was never born.

    XV

    ‘Tell me whose men ye are,’ he says,
      ‘Or whose men that ye be;
    Who gave you leave in this Cheviot chase
      In the spite of mine and of me?’

    XVI

    The first man that him answer made
      It was the good Lord Percye:
    ‘We will not tell thee whose men we are,
      Nor whose men that we be;
    But we will hunt here in this chase
      In the spite of thine and of thee.

    XVII

    ‘The fattest harts in all Cheviot
      We have kill’d, to carry away.’--
    ‘By my troth,’ said the doughty Douglas again,
      ‘The one of us dies this day.

    XVIII

    ‘[Yet] to kill allè these guiltless men
      Alas, it were great pitye!
    But, Percy, thou art a lord of land,
      I an earl in my countrye--
    Let all our men on a party[1097] stand,
      And do battle of thee and me!’

    XIX

    ‘Christ’s curse on his crown,’ said the lord Percye,
      ‘Whosoever thereto says nay!
    By my troth, thou doughty Douglas,’ he says,
      ‘Thou shalt never see that day--

    XX

    --‘Neither in England, Scotland nor France,
      Nor for no man of woman born,
    But, that (and fortune be my chance)
      I dare meet him, one man for one.’

    XXI

    Then bespake a squire of Northumberland,
      Richard Witherington was his name;
    ‘It shall never be told in South England
      To King Harry the Fourth for shame.

    XXII

    ‘I wot you bin great lordès two,
      I am a poor squire of land;
    [Yet] I’ll ne’er see my captain fight on a field
      And stand myself and look on.
    But while that I may my weapon wield
      I’ll not fail, both heart and hand.’

    XXIII

    That day, that day, that dreadful day!--
      The first fytte[1098] here I find:
    An you’ll hear any more o’ the hunting of Cheviot,
      Yet there is more behind.


    _Fytte II_

    XXIV

    The Englishmen had their bows y-bent,
      Their hearts were good enow;
    The first of arrows that they shot off
      Seven score spearmen they slew.

    XXV

    Yet bides the Earl Douglas upon the bent,
      A captain good enoghe;
    And that was seenè verament,
      For he wrought them both woe and wouche[1099].

    XXVI

    The Douglas parted his host in three,
      Like a chief chieftain of pride;
    With surè spears of mighty tree[1100]
      They came in on every side;

    XXVII

    --Throughè our English archery
      Gave many a woond full wide;
    Many a doughty[1101] they gar’d to dye,
      Which gainèd them no pride.

    XXVIII

    The Englishmen let their bowès be,
      And pull’d out brands that were bright;
    It was a heavy sight to see
      Bright swords on basnets[1102] light.

    XXIX

    Thoro’ rich mail and manoplie[1103]
      Many stern[1104] they struck down straight;
    Many a freyke[1105] that was full free
      There under foot did light.

    XXX

    At last the Douglas and the Percy met,
      Like to captains of might and of main;
    They swapt[1106] together till they both swat[1107]
      With swordès of fine Milan.

    XXXI

    These worthy freykès for to fight
      Thereto they were full fain,
    Till the blood out of their basnets sprent[1108]
      As ever did hail or rain.

    XXXII

    ‘Yield thee, Percy,’ said the Douglas,
      ‘And i’ faith I shall thee bring
    Where thou shalt have an Earl’s wages
      Of Jamie our Scottish king.

    XXXIII

    ‘Thou shaltè have thy ransom free,
      --I hight[1109] thee here this thing;
    For the manfullest man thou art that e’er
      I conquer’d in field fighting.’

    XXXIV

    But ‘Nay’, then said the lord Percye,
      ‘I told it thee beforn
    That I would never yielded be
      To man of a woman born.’

    XXXV

    With that an arrow came hastily
      Forth of a mighty wane[1110];
    And it hath stricken the Earl Douglas
      In at the breastè-bane.

    XXXVI

    Thoro’ liver and lungès both
      The sharp arròw is gone,
    That never after in his life-days
      He spake mo words but one:
    ’Twas, ‘Fight ye, my merry men, whiles ye may,
      For my life-days bin gone!’

    XXXVII

    The Percy leanèd on his brand
      And saw the Douglas dee;
    He took the dead man by the hand,
      And said, ‘Woe is me for thee!

    XXXVIII

    ‘To have sav’d thy life I’d have parted with
      My lands for yearès three,
    For a better man of heart nor of hand
      Was not in the north countrye.’

    XXXIX

    [All this there saw] a Scottish knight,
      Sir Hugh the Montgomerye:
    When he saw Douglas to the death was dight[1111],
      Through a hundred archerye
    He never stint[1112] nor he never blint[1113]
      Till he came to the lord Percye.

    XL

    He set upon the lord Percỳ
      A dint[1114] that was full sore;
    With a surè spear of a mighty tree
      Thro’ the body him he bore,
    O’ the t’other side that a man might see
      A large cloth-yard and more.

    XLI

    An archer of Northumberland
      Saw slain was the lord Percye:
    He bare a bent bow in his hand,
      Was made of a trusty tree.

    XLII

    An arrow that was a cloth-yard long
      To the hard steel halèd[1115] he,
    A dint that was both sad and sair
      He set on Montgomerye.

    XLIII

    The dint it was both sad and sair
      That he on Montgomerye set;
    The swan-feathers that his arrow bare
      With his heart-blood they were wet.

    XLIV

    There was never a freykè one foot would flee,
      But still in stoure[1116] did stand;
    Hewing on each other, while they might dree[1117],
      With many a baleful brand.

    XLV

    This battle began in Cheviot
      An hour before the noon,
    And when the even-song bell was rung
      The battle was not half done.

    XLVI

    They took [their stand] on either hand
      By the [lee][1118] light of the moon;
    Many had no strength for to stand
      In Cheviot the hills abune.

    XLVII

    Of fifteen hundred archers of England
      Went away but seventy-and-three;
    Of twenty hundred spearmen of Scotland
      But even five-and-fiftỳ.

    XLVIII

    There was slain with the bold Percye
      Sir John of Agerstoune,
    Sir Roger, the hendè[1119] Hartley,
      Sir William, the bold Herone.

    XLIX

    Sir George, the worthy Loumlye,
      A knight of great renown,
    Sir Ralph, the richè Rabye,
      With dints were beaten down.

    L

    For Witherington my heart was woe
      That ever he slain should be:
    For when both his legs were hewn in two
      Yet he kneel’d and fought on his knee.

    LI

    There was slayn with the doughty Douglas
      Sir Hugh the Montgomerye,
    Sir Davy Lambwell, that worthy was,
      His sister’s son was he.

    LII

    Sir Charles a Murray in that place,
      That never a foot would flee:
    Sir Hew Maxwell, a lord he was,
      With the Douglas did he dee.

    LIII

    So on the morrow they made them biers
      Of birch and hazel so gray;
    Many widows with weeping tears
      Came to fetch their makes[1120] away.

    LIV

    Teviotdale may carp[1121] of care,
      Northumberland may make moan,
    For two such captains as slain were there
      On the March-parts shall never be none.

    LV

    Word is come to Edinboro’,
      To Jamie the Scottish King,
    Earl Douglas, lieutenant of the Marches,
      Lay slain Cheviot within.

    LVI

    His hands the King did weal[1122] and wring,
      Said, ‘Alas! and woe is me!
    Such another captain Scotland within
      I’ faith shall never be!’

    LVII

    Word is come to lovely London,
      To the fourth Harry, our King,
    Lord Percy, lieutenant of the Marches,
      Lay slain Cheviot within.

    LVIII

    ‘God have mercy on his soul,’ said King Harry,
      ‘Good Lord, if thy will it be!
    I’ve a hundred captains in England,’ he said,
      ‘As good as ever was he:
    But Percy, an I brook[1123] my life,
      Thy death well quit shall be.’

    LIX

    And as our King made his avow
      Like a noble prince of renown,
    For Percy he did it well perform
      After, on Homble-down;

    LX

    Where six-and-thirty Scottish knights
      On a day were beaten down;
    Glendale[1124] glitter’d on their armour bright
      Over castle, tower and town.

    LXI

    This was the Hunting of the Cheviot;
      That e’er began this spurn[1125]!
    Old men, that knowen the ground well,
      Call it of Otterburn.

    LXII

    There was never a time on the Marche-partès
      Since the Douglas and Percy met,
    But ’tis marvel an the red blood run not
      As the reane[1126] does in the street.

    LXIII

    Jesu Christ! our balès[1127] bete[1128],
      And to the bliss us bring!
    This was the Hunting of the Cheviot:
      God send us all good endìng!

FOOTNOTES:

[1082] maugre = despite.

[1083] let = hinder.

[1084] meinye = company.

[1085] bicker’d = attacked, skirmished.

[1086] bent = rough grass.

[1087] wild = game, deer.

[1088] shear = several.

[1089] grevès = groves.

[1090] glent = glanced, darted.

[1091] mort = death of the deer.

[1092] quarry = dead game.

[1093] brittling = cutting up.

[1094] boun’s = boundaries.

[1095] gleed = live coal.

[1096] bairn = fighting man.

[1097] on a party = apart.

[1098] fytte = division of a ballad.

[1099] wouche = evil.

[1100] tree = timber.

[1101] doughty = doughty man.

[1102] basnets = steel caps.

[1103] manoplie = long gauntlet.

[1104] stern = stern men, warriors.

[1105] freyke = bold fellow.

[1106] swapt = smote.

[1107] swat = sweated.

[1108] sprent = spurted.

[1109] hight = promise.

[1110] wane = host, multitude.

[1111] dight = done, doomed.

[1112] stint = stayed.

[1113] blint = stopped.

[1114] dint = stroke, lunge.

[1115] halèd = pulled.

[1116] stoure = press of battle.

[1117] dree = endure.

[1118] lee = fair, bright.

[1119] hendè = courteous, gentle.

[1120] makes = mates.

[1121] carp = talk.

[1122] weal = clench.

[1123] brook = retain.

[1124] Glendale = one of the six ‘wards’ of Northumberland. Homildon
was here.

[1125] spurn = fray(?).

[1126] reane = gutter.

[1127] balès = woes.

[1128] bete = better, relieve.




_129. Northumberland Betrayed by Douglas_


    I

    Now list and lithe, you gentlemen,
      And I’st tell you the veretye,
    How they have dealt with a banish’d man,
      Driven out of his owne countrye.

    II

    When as he came on Scottish ground,
      As woe and wonder be them amonge!
    Full much was there traitorye
      They wrought the Erle of Northumberland.

    III

    When they were at the supper set,
      Before many goodly gentlemen,
    They fell a flouting and mocking both,
      And said to the Erle of Northumberland:

    IV

    ‘What makes you be soe sad, my lord,
      And in your mind soe sorrowfullye?
    In the north to-morrow there is a shooting,
      And thither thou’st goe, my Lord Percye.

    V

    ‘The buttes are sett, and the shooting is made,
      And there is like to be great royaltye,
    And I am sworne into my bill[1129]
      Thither to bring my Lord Percye.’

    VI

    ‘I’le give thee my hand, Douglas,’ he says,
      ‘And by the faith in my bodye,
    If that thou wilt ryde to the worldis end,
      Then I’le ryde in thy companye.’

    VII

    And then bespake the good ladye,
      Mary a Douglas was her name:
    ‘You shall byde here, good English lord;
      My brother is a traitorous man.

    VIII

    ‘He is a traitor stout and stronge,
      As I’st tell you the veretye;
    For he hath ta’en ’liverance of the Erle,
      And into England he will ‘liver thee.’--

    IX

    ‘Now hold thy tongue, thou goodly ladye,
      Now all this talking let a-bee;
    For all the gold that’s in Lough Leven,
      William wo’ld not ’liver mee.

    X

    ‘It wo’ld breake truce betweene England and Scottland,
      And freinds againe they wo’ld never bee,
    If he sho’ld ‘liver a banisht erle,
      Was driven out of his owne countrye.’--

    XI

    ‘Hold your tounge, my lord,’ she sayes,
      ‘There is much falsehood them amonge;
    Soone they will part them freinds againe,
      When you are dead, then they are done.

    XII

    ‘If you will give me any trust, my lord,
      I’le tell you how you best may bee;
    You’st let my brother ryde his wayes,
      And tell those English lords, trulye,

    XIII

    ‘How that you cannot with them ryde,
      Because you are in an isle of the sea;
    Then, ere my brother come againe,
      To Edenborrow castle I’le carry thee.

    XIV

    ‘I’le ’liver you unto the Lord Hume,
      And you know a trew Scothe lord is hee,
    For he hath lost both land and goods
      In ayding of your good bodye.’--

    XV

    ‘Marry, I am woe, woman,’ he sayes,
      ‘That any friend fares worse for me;
    For where one saith it is a true tale,
      Then two will say it is a lee.

    XVI

    ‘When that I was at home in my realme,
      Amonge my tennants all trulye,
    In my time of losse, wherin my need stoode,
      They came to ayd me honestlye.

    XVII

    ‘Therefore I left a many a child fatherlese,
      And many a widdow to looke wanne;
    Therefore do thou blame nothing, ladye,
      But the woeffull warres which I began.’--

    XVIII

    ‘If you will give me noe trust, my lord,
      Nor noe credence you will give mee,
    An you’le come hither to my right hand,
      Indeed, my lord, I’le let you see,’--

    XIX

    Says, ‘I never loved noe witchcraft,
      Nor never dealt with treacherye,
    But evermore held the hye way;
      Alas, that may be seene by mee!’--

    XX

    ‘If you will not come your selfe, my lord,
      You’le lett your chamberlaine goe with me,
    Three words that I may to him speake,
      And soone he shall come againe to thee.’

    XXI

    When James Swynard came that lady before,
      She let him see thro’ the weme[1130] of her ring
    How many there was of English lords
      To wayte[1131] there for his master and him.

    XXII

    ‘But who beene yonder, my good ladye,
      That walkes soe royallye on yond greene?’--
    ‘Yond is Lord Hunsden, Jamye,’ she sayd,
      ‘Alas, he’le doe you both tree and teene[1132]!’--

    XXIII

    ‘And who beene yonder, thou gay ladye,
      That walkes soe royallye him beside?’--
    ‘Yond’s Sir William Drurye, Jamye,’ she sayd,
      ‘And a keene captain he is, and tryde.’--

    XXIV

    ‘How many miles is’t, thou good ladye,
      Betwixt yond English lord and mee?’--
    ‘Marry, thrice fifty mile, Jamye,’ she sayd,
      ‘And even to sayle and by the sea.

    XXV

    ‘I never was on English ground,
      Nor never see it with mine eye,
    But as my wit and wisedome serves,
      And as the booke it telleth mee.

    XXVI

    ‘My mother, she was a witch woman,
      And part of it she learnèd mee;
    She wo’ld let me see out of Lough Leven
      What they dyd in London citye.’--

    XXVII

    ‘But who is yond, thou good ladye,
      Comes yonder with an osterne[1133] face?’
    ‘Yond’s Sir John Forster, Jamye,’ she sayd;
      ‘Alas! he’ll do ye sore disgrace.’

    XXVIII

    He pulled his hat downe over his eyes,
      And, Lord, he wept soe tenderlye!
    He is gone unto his master againe,
      And even to tell him the veretye.

    XXIX

    ‘Now hast thou beene with Mary,’ he sayd,
      ‘Even as thy tounge will tell to mee;
    But if thou trust any woman’s words,
      Thou must refraine good companye.’

    XXX

    ‘It is noe words, my lord,’ he sayes;
      ‘Yonder the men she lets me see,
    How many English lords there is
      Is wayting there for you and mee.

    XXXI

    ‘Yonder I see the Lord Hunsden,
      And he and you is of third degree[1134];
    A greater enemye, indeed, my Lord,
      In England never a one have yee.’--

    XXXII

    ‘And I have beene in Lough Leven
      The most part of these yeerès three:
    Yet had I never noe out-rake[1135],
      Nor good gamès that I co’ld see.

    XXXIII

    ‘And I am thus bidden to yonder shooting
      By William Douglas all trulye;
    Therfore speake never a word of thy mouth
      That thou thinkès will hinder me.’

    XXXIV

    Then he writhe the gold ring of his fingar
      And gave it to that gay ladye;
    Sayes, ‘That was a legacye left unto mee
      In Harley woods where I co’ld bee.’--

    XXXV

    ‘Then ffarewell hart, and farewell hand,
      And ffarwell all good companye!
    That woman shall never beare a sonne
      Shall know soe much of your privitye.’--

    XXXVI

    ‘Now hold thy tongue, ladye,’ he sayde,
      ‘And make not all this dole for me,
    For I may well drinke, but I’st never eate,
      Till ance againe in Lough Leven I bee.’

    XXXVII

    He tooke his boate at the Lough Leven,
      For to sayle now over the sea,
    And he hath cast up a silver wand,
      Says, ‘Fare thou well, my good ladye!’
    The ladye looked owre her left sholder;
      In a dead swoone there down fell she.

    XXXVIII

    ‘Goe backe againe, Douglas!’ he sayd,
      ‘And I will goe in thy companye;
    For sudden sicknesse yonder lady has tane,
      And ever, alas, she will but dye!

    XXXIX

    ‘If ought come to yonder ladye but good,
      Then blamèd sore that I shall bee,
    Because a banish’d man I am,
      And driven out of my owne countrye.’--

    XL

    ‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,
      ‘And all such talking let a-bee;
    There’s ladyes enow left in Lough Leven
      For to cheere yonder gay ladye.’

    XLI

    ‘An you will not goe your selfe, my lord,
      You will lett my chamberlaine go with mee;
    We shall now take our boate againe,
      And soone wee shall overtake thee.’--

    XLII

    ‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,
      ‘And all this talking now let a-bee;
    For my sister is craftye enoughe
      For to beguile thousands such as you and mee.’

    XLIII

    When they had saylèd fifty myle,
      Now fifty myle upon the sea,
    Hee asked, ‘How ffarr is it to that shooting
      That William Douglas promised me?’--

    XLIV

    ‘Now faire words makès foolès faine,
      And that may be seene by thy master and thee;
    For happen you’ll think it soone enoughe
      Whenever you that shooting see.’

    XLV

    Jamye pulled his hat now over his browe,
      I wot the teares fell in his e’e;
    And he is to his master againe,
      And for to tell him the veretye.

    XLVI

    ‘He says fayre words makes foolès faine,
      And that may be seene by you and mee,
    For happen we’ll thinke it soone enoughe
      Whenever we that shooting see.’

    XLVII

    ‘Hold upp thy head, Jamye,’ the Erle sayd,
      ‘And never let thy hart fayle thee;
    He did it but to prove thee with,
      And see how thow wo’ld take with death trulye.’

    XLVIII

    When they had sayl’d other fifty mile,
      Other fifty mile upon the sea,
    Lord Percye called to him, himselfe,
      Sayd, ‘Douglas, what wilt thou doe with mee?’

    XLIX

    ‘Looke that your brydle be wight[1136], my lord,
      That you may goe as a shipp at sea;
    Looke that your spurres be bright and sharpe,
      That you may pricke her while she’le awaye.’

    L

    ‘What needeth this, Douglas,’ he sayth,
      ‘That thou needest to ffloutè mee?
    For I was counted a horsseman good
      Before that ever I met with thee.

    LI

    ‘A ffalsè Hector hath my horsse,
      And ever an evill death may hee dye!
    And Willye Armestronge hath my spurres
      And all the geere belongs to mee.’

    LII

    When they had sayled other fifty mile,
      Other fifty mile upon the sea,
    They landed low by Berwicke-side;
      [Soe Douglas betray’d the] Lord Percye.

FOOTNOTES:

[1129] into my bill = on paper, in writing.

[1130] weme = inward.

[1131] wayte = wait in ambush.

[1132] tree and teene = injury and grief.

[1133] osterne = austere.

[1134] of third degree = third cousins.

[1135] out-rake = holiday.

[1136] wight = strong.




_130. Sir Andrew Barton_


    I

    As it befel in midsummer-time,
      When birds singe sweetlye on every tree,
    Our noble king, King Henry the Eighth,
      Over the river of Thames pass’d he.

    II

    He was no sooner over the river,
      Downe in a forrest to take the ayre,
    But eighty merchants of London citye
      Came kneeling before King Henry there.

    III

    ‘O ye are welcome, rich merchànts,
      Good saylers, welcome unto me!’
    They swore by the rood they were saylers good,
      But rich merchànts they co’ld not be.

    IV

    ‘To France nor Flanders dare we not passe,
      Nor Bourdeaux voyage we dare not fare,
    All for a false robber that lyes on the seas,
      And robbs us of our merchants-ware.’

    V

    King Henry was stout, and he turned him about,
      And swore by the Lord that was mickle of might
    ‘I thought he’d not been in the world throughout
      That durst have wrought England such unright.’

    VI

    But ever they sighèd, and said, alas!
      Unto King Harry this answer againe:
    ‘He is a proud Scott that will robb us all
      Were we twenty shipps and he but one.’

    VII

    The King looket over his left shouldèr,
      Amongst his lords and barrons so free:
    ‘Have I never a lord in all my realme
      Will fetch yond traitor unto me?’

    VIII

    ‘Yes, that dare I!’ says my lord Charles Howard,
      Neere to the King wheras he did stand,
    ‘If that Your Grace will give me leave,
      My self will perform what you command.’

    IX

    ‘Thou shalt have six hundred men,’ saith our King,
      ‘And chuse them out of my realme so free;
    [Moreover] mariners and ship boyes,
      To guide the great ship on the sea.’

    X

    ‘I’le goe speake with Sir Andrew,’ says my Lord Howard;
      ‘Upon the sea, if he be there;
    I will bring him and his ship to shore,
      Or before my prince I will ne’er come neere.’

    XI

    The first of all my Lord did call,
      A noble gunner he was one;
    This man was three score yeares and ten,
      And Peter Simon was his name.

    XII

    ‘Peter,’ says he, ‘I must sayle to the sea,
      To seek out an enemy; God be my speed!
    Before all others I have chosen thee;
      Of a hundred gunners thou’st be my head.’

    XIII

    ‘My lord,’ says he, ‘if you’ve chosen me
      Of a hundred gunners to be the head,
    You may hang me at your maine-mast tree
      If I miss my mark past three pence bread[1137].’

    XIV

    The next of all my lord he did call,
      A noble bowman he was one;
    In Yorkshire was this gentleman borne,
      And William Horsley was his name.

    XV

    ‘Horsley,’ says he, ‘I must sayle to the sea,
      To seek out an enemy; God be my speede!
    Before all others I have chosen thee;
      Of a hundred bowemen thou’st be my head.’

    XVI

    ‘My lord,’ says he, ‘if you’ve chosen me
      Of a hundred bowemen to be the head,
    Hang me at your main-mast tree
      If I miss my mark past twelve pence bread.’

    XVII

    With pikes, and gunnes, and bowmen bold,
      This noble Howard is gone to the sea
    On the day before Midsummer-even,
      And out at Thames’ mouth saylèd they.

    XVIII

    They had not saylèd dayès three
      Upon their journey they took in hand,
    But there they met with a noble ship,
      And stoutely made it both stay and stand.

    XIX

    ‘Thou must tell me thy name,’ says Charles my lord Howard,
      ‘Or who thou art, or from whence thou came,
    Yea, and where thy dwelling is,
      To whom and where thy ship does belong.’

    XX

    ‘My name,’ says he, ‘is Henery Hunt,
      With a pure hart and a penitent mind;
    I and my ship they doe belong
      Unto the New-castle that stands upon Tyne.’--

    XXI

    ‘Now thou must tell me, Henery Hunt,
      As thou hast saylèd by day and by night,
    Hast thou not heard of a stout robbèr?
      Men calls him Sir Andrew Barton, Knight.’

    XXII

    But ever he sighèd, and said, ‘Alas!
      Full well, my lord, I know that wight;
    He has robb’d me of my merchants-ware,
      And I was his pris’ner but yesternight.

    XXIII

    ‘As I was sayling upon the sea,
      And a Bourdeaux voyage as I did fare,
    He claspèd me to his archèborde[1138],
      And robb’d me of all my merchants-ware.

    XXIV

    ‘And I am a man both poor and bare,
      Every man will have his own of me;
    And I am bound towards London to fare,
      To complain unto my prince Henrye.

    XXV

    ‘That shall not need,’ says my Lord Howard;
      ‘If thou canst let me this robber see,
    For every penny he hath taken thee fro’
      Thou shall be rewarded a shilling,’ quoth he.

    XXVI

    ‘Now God forfend,’ says Henery Hunt,
      ‘My lord, you sho’ld work so far amisse!
    God keep you out of that traitor’s hands!
      For you wot full little what man he is.

    XXVII

    ‘He is brasse within, and steele without,
      And beams he bears in his topcastle stronge;
    His ship hath ordinance clean round about;
      Besides, my lord, he is very well mann’d.

    XXVIII

    ‘He hath a pinnace is dearlye dight[1139],
      Saint Andrew’s cross, that is his guide[1140];
    His pinnace bears nine-score men and more,
      With fifteen cannons on every side.

    XXIX

    ‘Were you twenty ships, and he but one,
      Either in archbord or in hall[1141],
    He wo’ld overcome you everye one,
      An if his beams they doe down fall.’

    XXX

    ‘This is cold comfort,’ says my Lord Howard,
      ‘To welcome a stranger thus to the sea;
    I’le bring him and his ship to shore,
      Or else into Scotland he shall carry me.’

    XXXI

    ‘Then, my lord, you must get a noble gunner;
      One that can set well with his e’e,
    And sink his pinnace into the sea,
      And soon then overcome will he be.

    XXXII

    ‘And when that you have done all this,
      If you chance Sir Andrew for to board,
    Let no man to his topcastle go;
      And I will give you a glass[1142], my lord,

    XXXIII

    ‘And then you need to fear no Scot,
      Whether you sayle by day or by night;
    And to-morrow, by seven of the clocke,
      You shall meete with Sir Andrew Barton, Knight.’

    XXXIV

    The merchant set Lord Howard a glass
      So well apparent in his sight
    That on the morrow by seven of the clock
      He spy’d Sir Andrew Barton, Knight.

    XXXV

    Lord Howard he swore a mighty oath
      When he saw his hache-bords dearly dight;
    ‘Now by my faith and by my troth,
      Yonder proud Scott is a worthy wight.

    XXXVI

    ‘Take in your ancients[1143] and your standards,
      Yea, that no man shall them see,
    And put me forth a white willow wand,
      As merchants use to sayle the sea.’

    XXXVII

    But they stirr’d[1144] neither top nor mast,
      But Sir Andrew they passèd by.--
    ‘What English are yonder,’ said Sir Andrew,
      ‘That can[1145] so little curtesye?

    XXXVIII

    ‘I have been admiral over the sea
      [Methinketh] more then these yeeres three;
    There is never an English nor Portingall dog,
      Can pass this way without leave of me.

    XXXIX

    ‘But now yonder pedlars, they are pass’d,
      Which is no little grief to me:
    Fetch them backe,’ sayes Sir Andrew Barton,
      ‘They shall all hang at my maine-mast tree.’

    XL

    With that the pinnace it shot off,
      That my Lord Howard might it well ken;
    It strokè down my lord’s fore-màst,
      And kill’d fourteen of my lord his men.

    XLI

    ‘Come hither, Simon!’ says my Lord Howard,
      ‘Look that thy words be true thou said;
    I’le hang thee at my maine-mast tree
      If thou miss thy mark past three pence bread.’

    XLII

    Simon was old, but his hart it was bold;
      He tooke downe a piece, and laid it full low;
    Chaine yeards nine he put therein,
      Besides other great shot less and moe.

    XLIII

    With that he let his gun-shot go;
      So well he settled it with his e’e,
    The first sight that Sir Andrew saw,
      He saw his pinnace sunk in the sea.

    XLIV

    When Sir Andrew saw his pinnace sunk,
      Lord! in his heart he was not well!
    ‘Cut my ropes! it is time to be gone!
      I’le goe fetch yond pedlars back mysell!’

    XLV

    When my Lord Howard saw Sir Andrew loose,
      Lord! in his heart that he was faine!
    ‘Strike on your drums! spread out your ancients!
      Sound out your trumpets! sound out amain!’

    XLVI

    ‘Fight on, my men!’ says Sir Andrew Barton;
      ‘Weate[1146], howsoever this geare[1147] will sway[1148],
    It is my Lord Admiral of England
      Is come to seek me on the sea.’

    XLVII

    Simon had a sone; with shot of a gun--
      Well Sir Andrew might it ken--
    He shot it in at the middle deck,
      And killed sixty more of Sir Andrew’s men.

    XLVIII

    [Bold] Hunt came in at the other side,
      And at Sir Andrew he shot then;
    He drove down his fore-mast tree,
      And kill’d eighty more of Sir Andrew’s men.

    XLIX

    ‘I have done a good turne,’ sayes Henery Hunt;
      ‘Sir Andrew is not our King’s friend;
    He hoped t’ have undone me yesternight,
      But I hope I have quit him well in the end.’

    L

    ‘Ever alas!’ sayd Sir Andrew Barton,
      ‘What sho’ld a man either thinke or say?
    Yonder false thief is my strongest enemy,
      Who was my prisoner but yesterday.

    LI

    ‘Come hither to me, thou Gourden good,
      And be thou ready at my call,
    And I will give thee three hundred pound
      If thou wilt let my beames downe fall.’

    LII

    With that hee swarm’d[1149] the main-mast tree,
      Soe did he it with might and maine;
    But Horsley, with a bearing arrow[1150],
      Stroke the Gourden through the braine.

    LIII

    And he fell into the hatches againe,
      And sore of his wound that he did bleed;
    Then word went through Sir Andrew’s men,
      How that the Gourden he was dead.

    LIV

    ‘Come hither to me, James Hamilton,
      Thou’rt my sister’s son, I have no more;
    I will give thee six hundred pound
      If thou wilt let my beames downe fall.’

    LV

    With that he swarm’d the main-mast tree,
      Soe did he it with might and main:
    Horsley, with another broad arrow,
      Strake the yeaman thoro’ the brain.

    LVI

    That he fell downe to the hatches againe;
      Sore of his wound that hee did bleed,
    _Covetousness gets no gaine,
      It is very true_, as the Welshman said.

    LVII

    But when he saw his nephew slaine,
      Lord! in his heart he was not well!
    ‘Go fetch me downe my armour of proof,
      For I will to the topcastle mysell.

    LVIII

    ‘Go fetch me downe my armour of proof,
      For it is gilded with gold so cleere;
    God be with my brother, John of Barton!
      Amongst the Portingalls he did it weare.’

    LIX

    But when he had his armour of proof,
      And on his body he had it on,
    Every man that lookèd at him
      Said, Gun nor arrow he need fear none.

    LX

    ‘Come hither, Horsley!’ says my Lord Howard,
      ‘And look your shaft that it goe right;
    Shoot a good shoote in the time of need,
      And for thy shooting thou’st be made knight.’

    LXI

    ‘I’le do my best,’ sayes Horsley then,
      ‘Your Honour shall see before I goe;
    If I sho’ld be hang’d at your maine-mast tree,
      I have in my ship but arrows two.’

    LXII

    But at Sir Andrew he shot then;
      He made so sure to hit his mark;
    Under the spole[1151] of his right arme
      He smote Sir Andrew quite thro’ the heart.

    LXIII

    Yet from the tree he wo’ld not start,
      But he cling’d to it with might and main;
    Under the collar then of his jacke[1152],
      He stroke Sir Andrew thoro’ the brain.

    LXIV

    ‘Fight on, my men!’ says Sir Andrew Barton,
      ‘I am hurt, but I am not slain;
    I’le lay me downe and bleed a-while,
      And then I’le rise and fight again.

    LXV

    ‘Fight on, my men!’ says Sir Andrew Barton,
      ‘These English dogs they bite so lowe;
    Fight on for Scotland and Saint Andrew
      While that you hear my whistle blowe!’

    LXVI

    But when they co’ld not hear his whistle,
      Says Henery Hunt, ‘I’le lay my head
    You may board yonder noble ship, my lord,
      For I know Sir Andrew he is dead.’

    LXVII

    With that they boarded this noble ship,
      So did they it with might and main;
    They found eighteen score Scots alive,
     Besides the rest were maim’d and slaine.

    LXVIII

    Lord Howard took a sword in his hand,
      And so smote off Sir Andrew’s head;
    The Scots stood by did weepe and mourne,
      But never a word they spoke or sayd.

    LXIX

    He caused his body to be taken downe,
      And over the hatch-bord cast into the sea,
    And about his middle three hundred crownes:
      ‘Wheresoever thou lands, it will bury thee!’

    LXX

    With his head they sayl’d into England againe,
      With right good will and force and main,
    And on the day before New-Year’s Even
      Into Thames’ mouth they came againe.

    LXXI

    Lord Howard wrote to King Henry’s grace,
      With all the newes hee co’ld him bring:
    ‘Such a New Year’s gift I have brought to your Grace
      As never did subject to any King.

    LXXII

    ‘For merchandise, yea and manhood,
      The like is nowhere to be found;
    The sight of these wo’ld do you good,
      For you have not the like in your English ground.’

    LXXIII

    When the King heard tell that they were come,
      Full royally he welcomed them home;
    Sir Andrew’s ship was his New-Year’s gift;
      A braver ship you never saw none.

    LXXIV

    Now hath our King Sir Andrew’s ship,
      Beset with pearles and precyous stones;
    And now hath England two ships of war,
      Two ships of war, before but one.

    LXXV

    ‘Who holpe to this?’ says King Henrye,
      ‘That I may reward him for his paine.’--
    ‘Henery Hunt, and Peter Simon,
      William Horsley, and I the same.’--

    LXXVI

    ‘Harry Hunt shall have his whistle and chaine,
      And all his jewels whatsoe’er they be,
    And other rich gifts that I will not name,
      For his good service he hath done me.

    LXXVII

    ‘Horsley, right thou’st be a knight,
      Lands and livings thou shalt have store;
    Howard shall be Earl of Nottingham,
      And so was never Howard before.

    LXXVIII

    ‘Now, Peter Simon, thou art old;
      I will maintaine thee and thy son;
    Thou shalt have five hundred pound all in gold
      For the good service that thou hast done.’

    LXXIX

    With that King Henrye shifted his room[1153];
      In came the Queene and ladyes bright;
    Other arrands they had none
      But to see Sir Andrew Barton, Knight.

    LXXX

    But when they saw his deadly face,
      His eyes were hollow in his head;
    ‘I wo’ld give a hundred pound,’ says his Grace,
      ‘The man were alive as he is dead!

    LXXXI

    ‘Yet for the manful part he hath play’d,
      Both here at home and beyond the sea,
    His men shall have half-a-crowne a day
      Till they come to my brother, King Jamie.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1137] three pence bread = the breadth of a threepenny piece.

[1138] archèborde = hatch-board.

[1139] dearlye dight = expensively fitted or ornamented.

[1140] guide = guidon, signal flag.

[1141] hall = hull.

[1142] glass = a lantern to guide the man-of-war’s course by the
merchantman’s.

[1143] ancients = ensigns.

[1144] stirr’d = moved, lowered.

[1145] can = ken, know.

[1146] Weate = wit ye, know.

[1147] geare = business, fighting.

[1148] sway = go, turn out.

[1149] swarm’d = climbed.

[1150] bearing arrow = a long arrow for distant shooting.

[1151] spole = shoulder, _épaule_.

[1152] jacke = jacket, short coat of mail.

[1153] shifted his room = made place.




_131. The ‘George-Aloe’_


    I

    The _George-Aloe_, and the _Sweepstake_, too,
          _With hey, with hoe, for and a nony no,_
    O, there were two Merchant-men, a sailing for Safee
          _And alongst the Coast of Barbarye_.

    II

    The _George-Aloe_ came to anchor in the bay,
          _With hey, &c._
    But the jolly _Sweepstake_ kept on her way,
          _And alongst, &c._

    III

    They had not sayl’d but leagues two or three,
          _With hey, &c._
    But they met with a French Man-of-War upon the Sea,
          _And alongst, &c._

    IV

    ‘All haile, all haile, you lusty Gallants all!
          _With hey, &c._
    Of whence is your fair Ship, and whither do ye call?’
          _And alongst, &c._

    V

    ‘We are Englishmen, and bound for Safee,’--
          _With hey, &c._
    ‘Ay, and we are Frenchmen, and war upon the sea,
          _And alongst, &c._

    VI

    ‘Amaine, Amaine, you English dogs, hail!’--
          _With, hey, &c._
    ‘Come aboard you French swads[1154], and strike down your sayle,’
          _And alongst, &c._

    VII

    They laid us aboard on the Starboard side,
          _With hey, &c._
    And they threw us into the Sea so wide,
          _And alongst, &c._

    VIII

    When tidings to the _George-Aloe_ came,
          _With hey, &c._
    That the jolly _Sweepstake_ by a Frenchman was ta’en,
          _And alongst, &c._

    IX

    ‘To top, to top, thou little Cabin-boy,
          _With hey, &c._
    And see if this French Man-of-War thou canst descry,’--
          _And alongst, &c._

    X

    ‘A Sayle, a Sayle, under our lee!
          _With hey, &c._
    Yea, and another that is under her obey!’
          _And alongst, &c._

    XI

    ‘Weigh anchor, weigh anchor, O jolly Boat-swain!
          _With hey, &c._
    We will take this Frenchman, if we can,’
          _And alongst, &c._

    XII

    We had not sayl’d leagues two or three,
          _With hey, &c._
    But we met the French Man-of-War upon the Sea,
          _And alongst, &c._

    XIII

    ‘All haile, All haile, you lusty Gallants hail!
          _With hey, &c._
    Of whence is your faire Ship, and whither do ye sayl?’
          _And alongst, &c._

    XIV

    ‘O, we are Merchant-men and bound for Safee,’--
          _With hey, &c._
    ‘Ay, and we are Frenchmen, and war upon the sea,
          _And alongst, &c._

    XV

    ‘Amaine, Amaine, you English Dogges, hail!’--
          _With hey, &c._
    ‘Come aboard, you French rogues, and strike down your sayl!’
          _And alongst, &c._

    XVI

    The first good shot that the _George-Aloe_ shot,
          _With hey, &c._
    He made the Frenchman’s heart sore afraid,
          _And alongst, &c._

    XVII

    The second shot the _George-Aloe_ did afford,
          _With hey, &c._
    He struck their main-mast over the board,
          _And alongst, &c._

    XVIII

    ‘Have mercy, have mercy, you brave English Men!’--
          _With hey, &c._
    ‘O, what have you done with our merry Brethren?’--
          _As they sayl’d in Barbarye?_

    XIX

    ‘We laid them aboard the starboard side,
          _With hey, &c._
    And we threw them into the Sea so wide,’--
          _And alongst, &c._

    XX

    ‘Such mercy as you have shewed unto them,
          _With hey, &c._
    Then the like mercy shall you have again,’--
          _And alongst, &c._

    XXI

    We laid them aboard the larboard side,
          _With hey, &c._
    And we threw them into the Sea so wide,
          _And alongst, &c._

    XXII

    Lord, how it grieved our hearts full Sore,
          _With hey, &c._
    To see the drowned Frenchmen to swim along the shore!
          _And alongst, &c._

    XXIII

    Now gallant Seamen I bid you all adieu,
           _With hey, &c._
    This is the last Newes I can write to you,
           _To England’s Coast from Barbarye._

FOOTNOTES:

[1154] swads = peascods, a cant term for soldiers.




_132. The ‘Golden Vanity’_


    I

    A ship I have got in the North Country
    And she goes by the name of the _Golden Vanity_,
    O I fear she’ll be taken by a Spanish Ga-la-lee,
            As she sails by the Low-lands low.

    II

    To the Captain then upspake the little Cabin-boy,
    He said, ‘What is my fee, if the galley I destroy?
    The Spanish Ga-la-lee, if no more it shall anoy,
           As you sail by the Low-lands low.’

    III

    ‘Of silver and of gold I will give to you a store;
    And my pretty little daughter that dwelleth on the shore,
    Of treasure and of fee as well, I’ll give to thee galore,
            As we sail by the Low-lands low.’

    IV

    Then they row’d him up tight in a black bull’s skin,
    And he held all in his hand an augur sharp and thin,
    And he swam until he came to the Spanish Gal-a-lin,
           As she lay by the Low-lands low.

    V

    He bored with his augur, he bored once and twice,
    And some were playing cards, and some were playing dice,
    When the water flowèd in it dazzled their eyes,
           And she sank by the Low-lands low.

    VI

    So the Cabin-boy did swim all to the larboard side,
    Saying ‘Captain! take me in, I am drifting with the tide!’
    ‘I will shoot you! I will kill you!’ the cruel Captain cried,
           ‘You may sink by the Low-lands low.’

    VII

    Then the Cabin-boy did swim all to the starboard side,
    Saying,‘Messmates, take me in, I am drifting with the tide!’
    Then they laid him on the deck, and he closed his eyes and died,
           As they sailed by the Low-lands low.

    VIII

    They sew’d his body tight in an old cow’s hide,
    And they cast the gallant cabin-boy out over the ship side,
    And left him without more ado to drift with the tide,
           And to sink by the Low-lands low.




_133. John Dory_


    I

    As it fell on a holy-day,
      And upon a holy-tide-a,
    John Dory bought him an ambling nag,
      To Paris for to ride-a.

    II

    And when John Dory to Paris was come,
      A little before the gate-a,
    John Dory was fitted, the porter was witted
      To let him in thereat-a.

    III

    The first man that John Dory did meet
      Was good King John of France-a;
    John Dory could well of his courtesie,
      But fell downe in a trance-a.

    IV

    ‘A pardon, a pardon, my liege and my king,
      For my merry men and for me-a,
    And all the churls in merry England,
      I’le bring them all bound to thee-a.’

    V

    And Nichol was then a Cornish man,
      A little beside Bohyde-a,
    He mann’d him forth a good black barke,
      With fifty good oars of a side-a.

    VI

    ‘Run up, my boy, unto the maine top,
      And look what thou canst spy-a:’
    ‘Who ho! who ho! a good ship I do see,
      I trow it be John Dory-a.’

    VII

    They hoist their sailes, both top and top,
      The mizzen and all was tride-a,
    And every man stood to his lot,
      Whatever should betide-a.

    VIII

    The roring cannons then were plied,
      And dub-a-dub went the drum-a;
    The braying trumpets loud they cried
      To courage both all and some-a.

    IX

    The grappling-hooks were brought at length,
      The brown bill and the sword-a,
    John Dory at length, for all his strength,
      Was clapt fast under board-a.




_134. Willie Macintosh_


    I

    ‘Turn, Willie Macintosh,
      Turn, I bid you;
    Gin ye burn Auchindown,
      Huntly will head you.’--

    II

    ‘Head me or hang me,
      That canna fley me;
    I’ll burn Auchindown
      Ere the life lea’ me.’

    III

    Coming down Deeside,
      In a clear morning,
    Auchindown was in flame,
      Ere the cock-crawing.

    IV

    But coming o’er Cairn Croom,
      And looking down, man,
    I saw Willie Macintosh
      Burn Auchindown, man.

    V

    ‘Bonnie Willie Macintosh,
      Whare left ye your men?’--
    ‘I left them in the Stapler,
      But they’ll never come hame.’

    VI

    ‘Bonny Willie Macintosh,
      Whare now is your men?’--
    ‘I left them in the Stapler,
      Sleeping in their sheen[1155].’

FOOTNOTES:

[1155] sheen = shoes.




_135. The Bonnie House o’ Airlie_


    I

    It fell on a day, and a bonnie simmer day,
      When green grew aits[1156] and barley,
    That there fell out a great dispute
      Between Argyll and Airlie.

    II

    Argyll has raised an hunder men,
      An hunder harness’d rarely,
    And he’s awa’ by the back of Dunkell,
      To plunder the castle of Airlie.

    III

    Lady Ogilvie looks o’er her bower-window,
      And O but she looks warely!
    And there she spied the great Argyll,
      Come to plunder the bonnie house of Airlie.

    IV

    ‘Come down, come down, my Lady Ogilvie,
      Come down and kiss me fairly.’--
    ‘O I winna kiss the fause Argyll,
      If he shouldna leave a standing stane in Airlie.’

    V

    He hath taken her by the left shoulder,
      Says, ‘Dame, where lies thy dowry?’--
    ‘O it’s east and west yon wan water side,
      And it’s down by the banks of the Airlie.’

    VI

    They hae sought it up, they hae sought it down,
      They hae sought it maist severely,
    Till they fand it in the fair plum-tree
      That shines on the bowling-green of Airlie.

    VII

    He hath taken her by the middle sae small,
      And O but she grat[1157] sairly!
    And laid her down by the bonnie burn-side,
      Till they plunder’d the castle of Airlie.

    VIII

    ‘Gif my gude lord war here this night,
      As he is with King Charlie,
    Neither you, nor ony ither Scottish lord,
      Durst avow to the plundering of Airlie.

    IX

    ‘Gif my gude lord war now at hame,
      And he is with his king,
    There durst nae a Campbell in a’ Argyll
      Set fit[1158] on Airlie green.

    X

    ‘Ten bonnie sons I have borne unto him,
      The eleventh ne’er saw his daddy;
    But though I had an hunder mair,
      I’d gie them a’ to King Charlie!’

FOOTNOTES:

[1156] aits = oats.

[1157] grat = cried.

[1158] fit = foot.




_136. Johnnie of Cockerslee_


    I

    Johnnie rose up in a May morning,
      Call’d for water to wash his hands;
    ‘Gar loose to me the gude gray dogs,
      That are bound wi’ iron bands.’

    II

    When Johnnie’s mother gat word o’ that,
      Her hands for dule she wrang;
    ‘O Johnnie, for my benison,
      To the greenwood dinna gang!

    III

    ‘Eneugh ye hae o’ gude wheat bread,
      And eneugh o’ the blude-red wine;
    And therefore for nae venison, Johnnie,
      I pray ye, stir frae hame.

    IV

    ‘There are Seven For’sters at Hislinton side,
      At Hislinton where they dwell,
    And for ae drap o’ thy heart’s blude
      They wad ride the fords o’ hell.’

    V

    But Johnnie has buskit his gude bend-bow,
      His arrows, ane by ane,
    And he has gane to Durrisdeer
      To ding the dun deer down.

    VI

    He’s lookit east, and he’s lookit west,
      And a little below the sun;
    And there he spied the dun deer lying
      Aneath a buss[1159] o’ broom.

    VII

    Johnnie he shot and the dun deer lap[1160],
      And he wounded her on the side;
    But atween the wood and the wan water
      His hounds they laid her pride.

    VIII

    And Johnnie has brittled[1161] the deer sae well,
      Had out her liver and lungs;
    And wi’ these he has feasted his bluidy hounds
      As if they had been Earl’s sons.

    IX

    They ate sae much o’ the venison,
      And drank sae much o’ the blude,
    That Johnnie and his gude gray hounds
      Fell asleep by yonder wood.

    X

    By there came a silly auld carle,
      An ill death mote he die!
    And he’s awa’ to Hislinton,
      Where the Seven Foresters did lie.

    XI

    ‘What news, what news, ye gray-headed carle?
      What news? come tell to me.’--
    ‘I bring nae news,’ said the gray-headed carle,
      ‘But what these eyes did see.

    XII

    ‘High up in Braidislee, low down in Braidislee,
      And under a buss o’ scroggs[1162],
    The bonniest childe that ever I saw
      Lay sleeping atween his dogs.

    XIII

    ‘The sark he had upon his back
      It was o’ the holland fine,
    The doublet he had over that
      It was o’ the Lincoln twine[1163].

    XIV

    ‘The buttons that were on his sleeve
      Were o’ the gowd sae gude;
    The twa gray dogs he lay atween,
      Their mouths were dyed wi’ blude.’

    XV

    Then out and spak’ the First Forester,
      The head man owre them a’;
    ‘If this be Johnnie o’ Cockerslee
      Nae nearer will we draw.’

    XVI

    But up and spak’ the Sixth Forester,
      (His sister’s son was he,)
    ‘If this be Johnnie o’ Cockerslee,
      We soon shall gar him dee!’

    XVII

    The first flight of arrows the Foresters shot,
      They wounded him on the knee;
    And out and spak’ the Seventh Forester,
      ‘The next will gar him dee.’

    XVIII

    ‘O some they count ye well-wight[1164] men,
      But I do count ye nane;
    For you might well ha’ waken’d me,
      And ask’d gin I wad be ta’en.

    XIX

    ‘The wildest wolf in a’ this wood
      Wad no ha’ done sae by me;
    She ha’ wet her foot i’ the wan water,
      And sprinkled it owre my bree[1165],
    And if that wad not ha’ waken’d me,
      Wad ha’ gone an’ let me be.

    XX

    ‘O bows of yew, if ye be true,
      In London where ye were bought;
    And, silver strings, value me sma’ things
      Till I get this vengeance wrought!
    And, fingers five, get up belive[1166]:
      And Manhood fail me nought!

    XXI

    ‘Stand stout, stand stout, my noble dogs,
      Stand stout and dinna flee!
    Stand fast, stand fast, my good gray hounds,
      And we will gar them dee!’

    XXII

    Johnnie has set his back to an aik,
      His foot against a stane,
    And he has slain the Seven Foresters,
      He has slain them a’ but ane.

    XXIII

    He has broke three ribs in that ane’s side,
      But and his collar bane;
    He’s flung him twa-fald owre his steed,
      Bade him carry the tidings hame....

    XXIV

    ‘Is there no a bird in a’ this forest
      Will do as mickle for me
    As dip its wing in the wan water
      And straik it on my e’e-bree?

    XXV

    ‘Is there no a bird in a’ this forest
      Can sing as I can say,--
    Can flee away to my mother’s bower
      And tell to fetch Johnnie away?’

    XXVI

    The starling flew to her window-stane,
      It whistled and it sang;
    And aye the owre-word o’ the tune
      Was, _Johnnie tarries lang!_

    XXVII

    They made a rod o’ the hazel-bush,
      Another o’ the slae-thorn tree,
    And mony, mony were the men
      At the fetching our Johnnie.

    XXVIII

    Then out and spak’ his auld mother,
      And fast her tears did fa’:
    ‘Ye wadna be warn’d, my son Johnnie,
      Frae the hunting to bide awa’!’

    XXIX

    Now Johnnie’s gude bend-bow is broke,
      And his gude gray dogs are slain;
    And his body lies dead in Durrisdeer,
      And his hunting it is done.

FOOTNOTES:

[1159] buss = bush, clump.

[1160] lap = leapt.

[1161] brittled = ‘broken’, cut up venison.

[1162] scroggs = stunted, or scraggy, trees.

[1163] twine = thread, texture.

[1164] well-wight = sturdy, here brave.

[1165] bree = brow.

[1166] belive = nimbly, at once.




_137. Kinmont Willie_


    I

    O have ye na heard o’ the fause Sakelde?
      O have ye na heard o’ the keen Lord Scroope?
    How they hae ta’en bauld Kinmont Willie,
      On Haribee to hang him up?

    II

    Had Willie had but twenty men,
      But twenty men as stout as he,
    Fause Sakelde had never the Kinmont ta’en,
      Wi’ eight score in his companie.

    III

    They band his legs beneath the steed,
      They tied his hands behind his back;
    They guarded him, fivesome on each side,
      And they brought him ower the Liddel-rack[1167].

    IV

    They led him thro’ the Liddel-rack,
      And also thro’ the Carlisle sands;
    They brought him in to Carlisle castell,
      To be at my Lord Scroope’s commands.

    V

    ‘My hands are tied, but my tongue is free,
      And whae will dare this deed avow?
    Or answer by the Border law?
      Or answer to the bauld Buccleuch?’--

    VI

    ‘Now haud thy tongue, thou rank reiver!
      There’s never a Scot shall set thee free:
    Before ye cross my castle yate,
      I trow ye shall take farewell o’ me.’

    VII

    ‘Fear na ye that, my lord,’ quo’ Willie:
      ‘By the faith o’ my body, Lord Scroope,’ he said,
    ‘I never yet lodged in a hostelrie
      But I paid my lawing[1168] before I gaed.’

    VIII

    Now word is gane to the bauld Keeper,
      In Branksome Ha’, where that he lay,
    That Lord Scroope has ta’en the Kinmont Willie,
      Between the hours of night and day.

    IX

    He has ta’en the table wi’ his hand,
      He garr’d the red wine spring on hie--
    ‘Now Christ’s curse on my head,’ he said,
      ‘But avengèd of Lord Scroope I’ll be!

    X

    ‘O is my basnet a widow’s curch[1169]?
      Or my lance a wand of the willow-tree?
    Or my arm a ladye’s lilye hand,
      That an English lord should lightly[1170] me!

    XI

    ‘And have they ta’en him, Kinmont Willie,
      Against the truce of Border tide?
    And forgotten that the bauld Buccleuch
      Is Keeper here on the Scottish side?

    XII

    ‘And have they e’en ta’en him, Kinmont Willie,
      Withouten either dread or fear?
    And forgotten that the bauld Buccleuch
      Can back a steed, or shake a spear?

    XIII

    ‘O were there war between the lands,
      As well I wot that there is nane,
    I would slight Carlisle castell high,
      Though it were builded of marble stane.

    XIV

    ‘I would set that castell in a low[1171],
      And sloken it with English blood!
    There’s never a man in Cumberland
      Should ken where Carlisle castell stood.

    XV

    ‘But since nae war’s between the lands,
      And there is peace, and peace should be;
    I’ll neither harm English lad or lass,
      And yet the Kinmont freed shall be!’

    XVI

    He has call’d him forty Marchmen bauld,
      I trow they were of his ain name,
    Except Sir Gilbert Elliot, call’d
      The Laird of Stobs, I mean the same.

    XVII

    He has call’d him forty Marchmen bauld,
      Were kinsmen to the bauld Buccleuch;
    With spur on heel, and splent[1172] on spauld[1173],
      And gleuves of green, and feathers blue.

    XVIII

    There were five and five before them a’,
      Wi’ hunting-horns and bugles bright:
    And five and five came wi’ Buccleuch,
      Like Warden’s men, array’d for fight.

    XIX

    And five and five, like a mason-gang,
      That carried the ladders lang and hie;
    And five and five, like broken men;
      And so they reach’d the Woodhouselee.

    XX

    And as we cross’d the Bateable Land[1174],
      When to the English side we held,
    The first o’ men that we met wi’,
      Whae sould it be but fause Sakelde?

    XXI

    ‘Where be ye gaun, ye hunters keen?’
      Quo’ fause Sakelde; ‘come tell to me!’--
    ‘We go to hunt an English stag,
      Has trespass’d on the Scots countrie.’

    XXII

    ‘Where be ye gaun, ye marshal men?’
      Quo’ fause Sakelde; ‘come tell me true!’--
    ‘We go to catch a rank reiver,
      Has broken faith wi’ the bauld Buccleuch.’

    XXIII

    ‘Where be ye gaun, ye mason lads,
      Wi’ a’ your ladders, lang and hie?’--
    ‘We gang to herry a corbie’s nest,
      That wons not far frae Woodhouselee.’--

    XXIV

    ‘Where be ye gaun, ye broken men?’
      Quo’ fause Sakelde; ‘come tell to me!’--
    Now Dickie of Dryhope led that band,
      And the never a word of lear[1175] had he.

    XXV

    ‘Why trespass ye on the English side?
      Row-footed[1176] outlaws, stand!’ quo’ he;
    The never a word had Dickie to say,
      Sae he thrust the lance through his fause bodie.

    XXVI

    Then on we held for Carlisle toun,
      And at Staneshaw-bank the Eden we cross’d;
    The water was great and meikle of spate,
      But the never a horse nor man we lost.

    XXVII

    And when we reach’d the Staneshaw-bank,
      The wind was rising loud and hie;
    And there the Laird gar’d leave our steeds,
      For fear that they should stamp and neigh.

    XXVIII

    And when we left the Staneshaw-bank,
      The wind began fu’ loud to blaw;
    But ’twas wind and weet, and fire and sleet,
      When we came beneath the castle wa’.

    XXIX

    We crept on knees, and held our breath,
      Till we placed the ladders against the wa’;
    And sae ready was Buccleuch himsell
      To mount the first before us a’.

    XXX

    He has ta’en the watchman by the throat,
      He flung him down upon the lead--
    ‘Had there not been peace between our lands,
      Upon the other side thou hadst gaed!--

    XXXI

    ‘Now sound out, trumpets!’ quo’ Buccleuch;
      ‘Let’s waken Lord Scroope right merrilie!’
    Then loud the Warden’s trumpet blew--
      _O wha dare meddle wi’ me?_

    XXXII

    Then speedilie to wark we gaed,
      And raised the slogan ane and a’,
    And cut a hole through a sheet of lead,
      And so we wan to the castle ha’.

    XXXIII

    They thought King James and a’ his men
      Had won the house wi’ bow and spear;
    It was but twenty Scots and ten,
      That put a thousand in sic a stear[1177]!

    XXXIV

    Wi’ coulters, and wi’ forehammers[1178],
      We gar’d the bars bang merrilie,
    Until we came to the inner prison,
      Where Willie o’ Kinmont he did lie.

    XXXV

    And when we cam to the lower prison,
      Where Willie o’ Kinmont he did lie--
    ‘O sleep ye, wake ye, Kinmont Willie,
      Upon the morn that thou’s to die?’--

    XXXVI

    ‘O I sleep saft, and I wake aft;
      It’s lang since sleeping was fley’d[1179] frae me!
    Gie my service back to my wife and bairns,
      And a’ gude fellows that spier[1180] for me.’

    XXXVII

    The Red Rowan has hente him up,
      The starkest man in Teviotdale--
    ‘Abide, abide now, Red Rowan,
      Till of my Lord Scroope I take farewell.

    XXXVIII

    ‘Farewell, farewell, my gude Lord Scroope!
      My gude Lord Scroope, farewell!’ he cried;
    ‘I’ll pay you for my lodging mail[1181],
      When first we meet on the Border side.’--

    XXXIX

    Then shoulder high, with shout and cry,
      We bore him down the ladder lang;
    At every stride Red Rowan made,
      I wot the Kinmont’s airns play’d clang!

    XL

    ‘O mony a time,’ quo’ Kinmont Willie,
      ‘I have ridden horse baith wild and wood[1182];
    But a rougher beast than Red Rowan
      I ween my legs have ne’er bestrode.

    XLI

    ‘And mony a time,’ quo’ Kinmont Willie,
      ‘I’ve prick’d a horse out oure the furs[1183];
    But since the day I back’d a steed,
      I never wore sic cumbrous spurs!’

    XLII

    We scarce had won the Staneshaw-bank
      When a’ the Carlisle bells were rung,
    And a thousand men on horse and foot
      Cam wi’ the keen Lord Scroope along.

    XLIII

    Buccleuch has turn’d to Eden Water,
      Even where it flow’d frae bank to brim,
    And he has plunged in wi’ a’ his band,
      And safely swam them through the stream.

    XLIV

    He turn’d him on the other side,
      And at Lord Scroope his glove flung he;
    ‘If ye like na my visit in merry England,
      In fair Scotland come visit me!’

    XLV

    All sore astonish’d stood Lord Scroope,
      He stood as still as rock of stane;
    He scarcely dared to trew[1184] his eyes,
      When through the water they had gane.

    XLVI

    ‘He is either himsell a devil frae hell,
      Or else his mother a witch maun be;
    I wadna have ridden that wan water
      For a’ the gowd in Christentie.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1167] Liddel-rack = a ford on the Liddel.

[1168] lawing = reckoning.

[1169] curch = kerchief, coif.

[1170] lightly = treat disrespectfully.

[1171] low = flame.

[1172] splent = split, or overlapping armour.

[1173] spauld = shoulder, épaule.

[1174] Bateable Land = debateable land; a stretch of frontier between
the Solway Firth and Scots Dyke, claimed by both nations.

[1175] lear = lore.

[1176] row-footed = rough-footed.

[1177] stear = stir, commotion.

[1178] forehammers = sledge-hammers.

[1179] fley’d = scared.

[1180] spier = inquire.

[1181] mail = rent.

[1182] wood = mad.

[1183] furs = furrows.

[1184] trew = trust.




_138. Jock o’ the Side_


    I

    Now Liddesdale has ridden a raid,
      But I wat they had better hae staid at hame;
    For Michael o’ Winfield he is dead,
      And Jock o’ the Side is prisoner ta’en.

    II

    To Sybill o’ the Side the tidings came;
      By the waterside there as she ran
    She took her kirtle by the hem
      And fast to Mangerton she’s gane.

    III

    Then up and spoke her Lord Mangerton--
      ‘What news, what news, my sister to me?’--
    ‘Bad news, bad news! My Michael is slain;
      And they ha’e taken my son Johnie.’

    IV

    The lords they wrang their fingers white,
      Ladyes did pull themsells by the hair,
    Crying ‘Alas and well-a day!
      For Jock o’ the Side we’ll never see mair!’

    V

    --‘Ne’er fear, sister Sybill,’ quo’ Mangerton;
      ‘I have yokes of ousen, eighty and three;
    My barns, my byres, and my faulds, a’ weil fill’d.
      I’ll part wi’ them a’ ere Johnie shall dee.

    VI

    ‘Three men I’ll send to set him free,
      Well harness’d a’ wi’ the best o’ steel;
    The English louns may hear, and drie
      The weight o’ their braid-swords to feel.

    VII

    ‘The Laird’s Jock ane, the Laird’s Wat twa,
      O Hobbie Noble, thou ane maun be!
    Thy coat is blue, thou hast been true,
      Since England banish’d thee, to me.’

    VIII

    Now Hobbie was an English man,
      In Bewcastle dale was bred and born;
    But his misdeeds they were sae great,
      They banish’d him ne’er to return.

    IX

    Lord Mangerton them orders gave,
      ‘Your horses the wrang way maun be shod,
    Like gentlemen ye mauna seem,
      But look like corn-caugers[1185] ga’en the road.

    X

    ‘Your armour gude ye mauna shaw,
      Nor yet appear like men o’ war;
    As country lads be a’ array’d,
      Wi’ branks[1186] and brecham[1187] on each mare.’

    XI

    Their horses are the wrang way shod,
      And Hobbie has mounted his grey sae fine;
    Wat on his auld horse, Jock on his bey,
      And on they rode for the water of Tyne.

    XII

    But when they came to Cholerton ford
      They lighted down by the light o’ the moon,
    And a tree they cut, wi’ nogs on each side,
      To climb up the wa’ of Newcastle toun.

    XIII

    But when they cam to Newcastle toun,
      And down were alighted at the wa’,
    They fand thair tree three ells ower laigh[1188],
      They fand their stick baith short and sma’.

    XIV

    Then up spake the Laird’s ain Jock:
      ‘There’s naething for’t; the gates we maun force.’--
    But when they cam the gate until,
      The porter withstood baith men and horse.

    XV

    His neck in twa the Armstrangs wrang;
      Wi’ fute or hand he ne’er play’d pa[1189]!
    His life and his keys at anes they hae ta’en,
      And cast the body ahint the wa’.

    XVI

    Now sune they reach Newcastle jail,
      And to the prisoner thus they call:
    ‘Sleeps thou, wakes thou, Jock o’ the Side,
      Or art thou weary of thy thrall?’

    XVII

    Jock answers thus, wi’ dolefu’ tone:
      ‘Aft, aft I wake--I seldom sleep:
    But whae’s this kens my name sae weel,
      And thus to mese[1190] my waes does seek?’--

    XVIII

    Then out and spak the gude Laird’s Jock,
      ‘Now fear ye na, my billie[1191],’ quo’ he;
    ‘For here are the Laird’s Jock, the Laird’s Wat,
      And Hobbie Noble to set thee free.’--

    XIX

    ‘Now haud thy tongue, my gude Laird’s Jock,
      For ever, alas! this canna be;
    For if a’ Liddesdale were here the night,
      The morn’s the day that I maun dee.

    XX

    ‘Full fifteen stane o’ Spanish iron,
      They hae laid a’ right sair on me;
    Wi’ locks and keys I am fast bound
      In this dungeon dark and dreirie.’

    XXI

    ‘Fear ye na that,’ quo’ the Laird’s Jock;
      ‘A faint heart ne’er wan a fair ladie;
    Work thou within, we’ll work without,
      And I’ll be sworn we’ll set thee free.’

    XXII

    The first strong door that they cam at,
      They loosèd it without a key;
    The next chain’d door that they cam at,
      They garr’d it a’ to flinders flee.

    XXIII

    The prisoner now upon his back
      The Laird’s Jock has gotten up fu’ hie;
    And, airns and a’, down the tolbooth[1192] stair,
      Wi’ nae sma’ speed and joy brings he.

    XXIV

    ‘Now, Jock, my man,’ quo’ Hobbie Noble,
      ‘Some o’ his weight ye may lay on me.’--
    ‘I wat weel no!’ quo’ the Laird’s ain Jock,
      ‘I count him lighter than a flee.’

    XXV

    Sae out at the gates they a’ are gane,
      The prisoner’s set on horseback hie;
    And now wi’ speed they’ve ta’en the gate,
      While ilk ane jokes fu’ wantonlie:

    XXVI

    ‘O Jock! sae winsomely ye sit,
      Wi’ baith your feet upon ae side;
    Sae weel ye’re harneist, and sae trig,
      In troth ye sit like ony bride!’

    XXVII

    The night, tho’ wat, they did na mind,
      But hied them on fu’ merrilie,
    Until they cam to Cholerton brae,
      Where the water ran like mountains hie.

    XXVIII

    But when they cam to Cholerton ford,
      There they met with an auld man;
    Says--‘Honest man, will the water ride?
      Tell us in haste, if that ye can.’--

    XXIX

    ‘I wat weel no,’ quo’ the gude auld man;
      ‘I hae lived here thretty years and three;
    Nor man nor horse can go ower Tyne,
      Except it were a horse of tree.’--

    XXX

    Then out and spoke the Laird’s saft Wat,
      The greatest coward in the companie:
    ‘Now halt, now halt! we need na try’t;
      The day is come we a’ maun die!’--

    XXXI

    ‘Puir faint-hearted thief!’ cried the Laird’s ain Jock,
      ‘There’ll nae man die but him that’s fie[1193];
    I’ll guide ye a’ right safely thro’;
      Lift ye the pris’ner on ahint me.’

    XXXII

    Wi’ that the water they hae ta’en,
      By ane’s and twa’s they a’ swam thro’;
    ‘Here are we a’ safe,’ quo’ the Laird’s Jock,
      ‘And, puir faint Wat, what think ye now?’

    XXXIII

    They scarce the other brae had won,
      When twenty men they saw pursue;
    Frae Newcastle toun they had been sent,
      A’ English lads baith stout and true.

    XXXIV

    But when the Land-sergeant the water saw,
      ‘It winna ride, my lads,’ says he;
    Then cried aloud--‘The prisoner take,
      But leave the fetters, I pray, to me!’

    XXXV

    ‘I wat weel no,’ quo’ the Laird’s ain Jock,
      ‘I’ll keep them, shoon to my mare to be:
    My gude bay mare--for I am sure,
      She has bought them a’ right dear frae thee.’--

    XXXVI

    Sae now they are on to Liddesdale,
      E’en as fast as they could them hie;
    The prisoner is brought to his ain fireside,
      And there o’ his airns they mak him free.

    XXXVII

    ‘Now, Jock, my billie,’ quo’ a’ the three,
      ‘The day is comed thou was to die;
    But thou’s as weel at thy ain ingle-side,
      Now sitting, I think, ’twixt thee and me.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1185] corn-caugers = corn hucksters.

[1186] branks = wooden halter.

[1187] brecham = straw collar.

[1188] laigh = low.

[1189] pa = paw.

[1190] mese = soothe.

[1191] billie = comrade.

[1192] tolbooth = gaol.

[1193] fie = fey, doomed.




_139. Hobbie Noble_


    I

    Foul fa’ the breast first treason bred in!
      That Liddesdale may safely say,
    For in it there was baith meat and drink,
      And corn unto our geldings gay.

    II

    We were stout-hearted men and true,
      As England it did often say;
    But now we may turn our backs and fly,
      Since brave Noble is seld[1194] away.

    III

    Now Hobbie he was an English man,
      And born into Bewcastle dale,
    But his misdeeds they were sae great,
      They banish’d him to Liddesdale.

    IV

    At Kershope-foot the tryst was set,
      Kershope of the lily lee;
    And there was traitour Sim o’ the Mains,
      With him a private companie.

    V

    Then Hobbie has graith’d[1195] his body weel,
      I wat wi’ baith good iron and steel;
    And he has pull’d out his fringed[1196] grey,
      And there, brave Hobbie, he rade him weel.

    VI

    Then Hobbie is down the water gane,
      Even as fast as he may drie;
    Tho’ they shou’d a’ brusten and broken their hearts,
      Frae that riding-tryst he would not be.

    VII

    ‘Weel may ye be, my feiries[1197] five!
      And aye, what is your wills wi’ me?’
    Then they cryd a’ wi’ ae consent:
      ‘Thou’rt welcome here, brave Noble, to me.

    VIII

    ‘Wilt thou with us into England ride?
      And thy safe-warrand we will be,
    If we get a horse worth a hundred punds,
      Upon his back that thou shalt be.’--

    IX

    ‘I dare not with you into England ride,
      The Land-sergeant has me at feid[1198];
    I know not what evil may betide
      For Peter of Whitfield his brother is dead.

    X

    ‘And Antony Shiel he loves not me,
      For I gat twa drifts of his sheep;
    The great Earl of Whitfield loves me not,
      For nae gear frae me he e’er could keep.

    XI

    ‘But will ye stay till the day gae down,
      Until the night come owre the grund,
    And I’ll be a guide worth ony twa
      That may in Liddesdale be found.

    XII

    ‘Tho’ dark the night as pick[1199] and tar,
      I’ll guide ye owre yon hills sae hie,
    And bring ye a’ in safety back,
      If you will be true and follow me.’

    XIII

    He has guided them owre moss and muir,
      O’er hill and houp[1200], and mony a down,
    Til they came to the Foulbogshiel,
      And there brave Noble he lighted down.

    XIV

    Then word is gane to the Land-sergeant,
      In Askerton where that he lay:
    ‘The deer that ye hae hunted sae lang
      Is seen into the Waste this day.’--

    XV

    ‘Then Hobbie Noble is that deer;
      I wat he carries the style fu’ hie!
    Aft has he beat your slough-hounds[1201] back,
      And set yourselves at little eie[1202].

    XVI

    ‘Gar warn the bows of Hartlie-burn,
      See they sharp their arrows on the wa’!
    Warn Willeva and Spear Edom,
      And see the morn they meet me a’.

    XVII

    ‘Gar meet me on the Rodric-haugh,
      And see it be by break o’ day;
    And we will on to Conscouthart Green,
      For there, I think, we’ll get our prey.’

    XVIII

    Then Hobbie Noble has dreamit a dream,
      In the Foulbogshiel where that he lay;
    He thought his horse was aneath him shot,
      And he himself got hard away.

    XIX

    The cocks could craw, and the day could daw’,
      And I wat sae even down fell the rain;
    Had Hobbie na waken’d at that time,
      In the Foulbogshiel he’d been ta’en or slain.

    XX

    ‘Get up, get up, my feiries five,
      For I wat here makes a fu’ ill day;
    And the warst clock[1203] of this companie
      I hope shall cross the Waste this day.

    XXI

    Now Hobbie thought the gates were clear,
      But, ever alas! it was not sae;
    They were beset wi’ cruel men and keen,
      That away brave Noble could not gae.

    XXII

    ‘Yet follow me, my feiries five,
      And see of me ye keep good array;
    And the worst clock of this companie
      I hope shall cross the Waste this day.’

    XXIII

    There was heaps of men now Hobbie before,
      And other heaps was him behin’,
    That had he been wight as Wallace was
      Away brave Noble he could not win.

    XXIV

    Then Hobbie he had but a laddie’s sword,
      But he did more than a laddie’s deed;
    Till in the midst of Conscouthart Green,
      He brake it o’er Jers-a-Wigham’s head.

    XXV

    Now they have ta’en brave Hobbie Noble,
      Wi’ his ain bowstring they band him sae;
    And I wat his heart was neer sae sair
      As when his ain five band him on the brae.

    XXVI

    They have ta’en him on for West Carlisle;
      They ask’d him if he kenn’d the way;
    Whate’er he thought, yet little he said;
      He knew that gate as well as they.

    XXVII

    They hae ta’en him up the Ricker-gate;
      The wives they cast their windows wide,
    And ilka wife to anither can say,
      ‘That’s the man loos’d Jock o’ the Side!’--

    XXVIII

    ‘Fy on ye, women! why ca’ ye me man?
      For it’s nae man that I’m used like;
    I’m but like a forfoughen[1204] hound,
      Has been fighting in a dirty syke[1205].’

    XXIX

    Then they hae ta’en him up thro’ Carlisle town,
      And set him by the chimney-fire;
    They gave brave Noble a wheat loaf to eat,
      And that was little his desire.

    XXX

    They gave him a wheaten loaf to eat
      And after that a can of beer;
    Then they cried a’, wi’ ae consent,
      ‘Eat, brave Noble, and make good cheer!

    XXXI

    ‘Confess my lord’s horse, Hobbie,’ they say,
      ‘And the morn in Carlisle thou’se no dee.’--
    ‘How shall I confess them?’ Hobbie says,
      ‘For I never saw them with mine e’e.’

    XXXII

    Then Hobbie has sworn a fu’ great aith,
      By the day that he was gotten or born,
    He never had onything o’ my lord’s
      That either ate him grass or corn.

    XXXIII

    ‘Now fare thee weel, sweet Mangerton!
      For I think again I’ll ne’er thee see;
    I wad betray nae lad alive,
      For a’ the gowd in Christentie.

    XXXIV

    ‘And fare thee well now, Liddesdale,
      Baith the hie land and the law!
    Keep ye weel frae traitor Mains!
      For gowd and gear he’ll sell ye a’.

    XXXV

    ‘I’d rather be ca’d Hobbie Noble,
      In Carlisle, where he suffers for his faut,
    Before I were ca’d the traitor Mains,
      That eats and drinks o’ the meal and maut.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1194] seld = sold.

[1195] graith’d = clad in armour.

[1196] fringed = long-haired at fetlocks.

[1197] feiries = feres, comrades.

[1198] feid = feud.

[1199] pick = pitch.

[1200] houp = ‘hope,’ a hollow between two hills.

[1201] slough-hounds = sleuth-hounds.

[1202] eie = awe.

[1203] clock = lame one, hobbler.

[1204] forfoughen = out-wearied.

[1205] syke = ditch.




_140. Archie of Cawfield_


    I

    As I was a-walking mine alane,
      It was by the dawning of the day,
    I heard twa brithers make their mane,
      And I listen’d weel what they did say.

    II

    The youngest to the eldest said:
      ‘Blythe and merrie how can we be?
    There were three brithren of us born,
      And ane of us is condemn’d to die.’--

    III

    ‘An ye wad be merrie, an ye wad be sad,
      What the better wad billy[1206] Archie be?
    Unless I had thirty men to mysell,
      And a’ to ride in my companie.

    IV

    ‘Ten to hald the horses’ heads,
      And other ten the watch to be,
    And ten to break up the strong prison
      Where billy Archie he does lie.

    V

    ‘Had I but thirty well-wight[1207] men,
      Thirty o’ the best in Christiantie,
    I wad go on to fair Dumfries,
      I wad loose my brother and set him free.’

    VI

    Then up and spak him mettled John Ha’
      (For leugh o’ Liddesdale[1208] crackit he):
    ‘An I had eleven men to mysell,
      It’s aye the twalt man I wad be.’--

    VII

    Then up bespak him coarse Ca’field,
      (I wot and little gude worth was he):
    ‘Thirty men is few anew,
      And a’ to ride in our companie.’

    VIII

    There was horsing, horsing in haste,
      And cracking of whips out owre the lee;
    Until they cam to the Murraywhat,
      And they lighted there right speedilie.

    IX

    ‘A smith! a smith!’ Dickie he cries,
      ‘A smith, a smith, right speedilie,
    To turn back the caukers[1209] of our horses’ shoon!
      For it’s unkensome[1210] we wad be.

    X

    ‘There lives a smith on the water-side,
      Will shoe my little black mare for me;
    And I’ve a crown in my pockét,
      And every groat of it I wad gie.’--

    XI

    ‘The night is mirk, and it’s very mirk,
      And by candle-light I canna weel see;
    The night is mirk, and it’s very pit mirk,
      And there will never a nail ca’ right for me.’--

    XII

    ‘Shame fa’ you and your trade baith,
      Canna beet[1211] a good fellow by your mystery[1212];
    But leeze me on[1213] thee, my little black mare,
      Thou’s worth thy weight in gold to me.’

    XIII

    There was horsing, horsing in haste,
      And cracking of whips out owre the lee,
    Until they came to the Bonshaw wood,
      Where they held their council privately.

    XIV

    Some says, ‘We’ll gang the Annan road;
      It is the better road,’ said they;
    But up bespake then Dicky Ha’,
      The wisest of that company:

    XV

    Says, ‘Annan road’s a public road,
      It’s no the road that makes for me;
    But we will through at the Hoddam ford,
      It is the better road,’ quo’ he.

    XVI

    There was horsing, horsing in haste,
      And crackin’ of whips out owre the lee;
    Until they cam to Dumfries port[1214],
      And they lighted there right speedilie.

    XVII

    ‘There’s five of us will hold the horse,
      And other five will watchmen be:
    But wha’s the man among ye a’,
      Will gae to the tolbooth[1215] door wi’ me?’--

    XVIII

    O up then spak him mettled John Ha’,
      (For leugh o’ Liddesdale crackit he):
    ‘If it should cost my life this very night,
      I’ll gae to the tolbooth door wi’ thee.’--

    XIX

    ‘Be of gude cheir, now, Archie, lad!
      Be of gude cheir, now, dear billie!
    Work thou within, and we without,
      And the morn thou’se dine at Ca’field wi’ me!’

    XX

    O Jockie Ha’ stepp’d to the door,
      And he bended low back on his knee,
    And he made the bolts that the door hang on,
      Loup frae the wa’ right wantonlie.

    XXI

    He took the prisoner on his back,
      And down the tolbooth stair cam he;
    The black mare stood ready at the door,
      I wot a foot ne’er stirrèd she.

    XXII

    They laid the links out owre her neck,
      And that was her gold twist to be;
    And they cam doun thro’ Dumfries toun,
      And wow but they cam speedilie.

    XXIII

    The live-lang night these twelve men rade,
      And aye till they were right wearie,
    Until they cam to the Murraywhat,
      And they lighted there right speedilie.

    XXIV

    ‘A smith! a smith!’ then Dickie he cries,
      ‘A smith, a smith, right speedilie,
    To file the irons frae my dear brither!
      For forward, forward we wad be.’--

    XXV

    They hadna filed a shackle of iron,
      A shackle of iron but barely three,
    When out and spak young Simon brave:
      ‘O dinna you see what I do see?

    XXVI

    ‘Lo! yonder comes Lieutenant Gordon,
      Wi’ a hundred men in his companie;
    This night will be our lyke-wake night,
      The morn the day we a’ maun die.’--

    XXVII

    O there was mounting, mounting in haste,
      And cracking of whips out owre the lee;
    Until they cam to Annan water,
      And it was flowing like the sea.

    XXVIII

    ‘My mare is young and very skeigh[1216],
      And in o’ the weil[1217] she will drown me!’--
    ‘But ye’ll take mine, and I’ll take thine,
      And sune through the water we sall be.’

    XXIX

    Then up and spak him coarse Ca’field
      (I wot and little gude worth was he),
    ‘We had better lose ane than lose a’ the lave[1218];
      We’ll lose the prisoner, we’ll gae free.’--

    XXX

    ‘Shame fa’ you and your lands baith!
      Wad ye e’en[1219] your lands to your born billy?
    But hey! bear up, my bonnie black mare,
      And yet thro’ the water we sall be.’--

    XXXI

    Now they did swim that wan water,
      And wow but they swam bonnilie!
    Until they cam to the other side,
      And they wrang their cloathes right drunkily.

    XXXII

    ‘Come thro’, come thro’, Lieutenant Gordon!
      Come thro’ and drink some wine wi’ me!
    For there is an ale-house here hard by,
      And it shall not cost thee ae penny.’--

    XXXIII

    ‘Throw me my irons,’ quo’ Lieutenant Gordon;
      ‘I wot they cost me dear eneugh.’--
    ‘The shame a ma[1220],’ quo’ mettled John Ha’,
      ‘They’ll be gude shackles to my pleugh.’--

    XXXIV

    ‘Come thro’, come thro’, Lieutenant Gordon!
      Come thro’ and drink some wine wi’ me!
    Yestreen I was your prisoner,
      But now this morning am I free.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1206] billy = brother, comrade.

[1207] well-wight = stout, sturdy.

[1208] For leugh, etc. = He boasted to be of lower Liddesdale. εὔχετο
εἶναι.

[1209] caukers = calkins.

[1210] unkensome = unknown.

[1211] beet = abet, aid.

[1212] mystery = craft.

[1213] leeze me on = commend me to.

[1214] port = gate.

[1215] tolbooth = gaol.

[1216] skeigh = shy.

[1217] weil = eddy.

[1218] lave = rest.

[1219] e’en = even, count as equal.

[1220] shame a ma = devil a bit.




_141. Jamie Telfer in the Fair Dodhead_


    I

    It fell about the Martinmas tyde,
      When our Border steeds get corn and hay,
    The Captain of Bewcastle bound him to ryde,
      And he’s ower to Tividale to drive a prey.

    II

    The first ae guide that they met wi’,
      It was high up in Hardhaughswire;
    The second guide that they met wi’,
      It was laigh[1221] down in Borthwick water.

    III

    ‘What tidings, what tidings, my trusty guide?’--
      ‘Nae tidings, nae tidings, I hae to thee;
    But gin ye’ll gae to the fair Dodhead,
      Mony a cow’s cauf I’ll let thee see.’

    IV

    And when they cam to the fair Dodhead,
      Right hastily they clam the peel[1222];
    They loosed the kye out, ane and a’,
      And ranshackled the house right weel.

    V

    Now Jamie Telfer’s heart was sair,
      The tear aye rowing[1223] in his ee;
    He pled wi’ the Captain to hae his gear,
      Or else revengèd he wad be.

    VI

    The Captain turned him round and leugh;
      Said--‘Man, there’s naething in thy house,
    But ae auld sword without a sheath,
      That hardly now would fell a mouse.’

    VII

    The sun wasna up, but the moon was down,
      It was the gryming[1224] of a new-fa’n snaw,
    Jamie Telfer has run ten myles a-foot,
      Between the Dodhead and the Stobs’s Ha’.

    VIII

    And when he cam to the fair tower-yate,
      He shouted loud, and cried weel hie,
    Till out bespak auld Gibby Elliot--
      ‘Whae’s this that brings the fraye[1225] to me?’--

    IX

    ‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer in the fair Dodhead,
      And a harried man I think I be!
    There’s naething left at the fair Dodhead,
      But a waefu’ wife and bairnies three.’

    X

    ‘Gae seek your succour at Branksome Ha’,
      For succour ye’se get nane frae me!
    Gae seek your succour where ye paid black-mail,
      For, man, ye ne’er paid money to me.’--

    XI

    Jamie has turned him round about,
      I wat the tear blinded his ee--
    ‘I’ll ne’er pay mail to Elliot again,
      And the fair Dodhead I’ll never see.

    XII

    ‘My hounds may a’ rin masterless,
      My hawks may fly frae tree to tree,
    My lord may grip my vassal lands,
      For there again maun I never be!’--

    XIII

    He has turn’d him to the Tiviot-side,
      E’en as fast as he could drie,
    Till he cam to the Coultart Cleugh,
      And there he shouted baith loud and hie.

    XIV

    Then up bespak him auld Jock Grieve,
      ‘Whae’s this that brings the fraye to me?’--
    ‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer in the fair Dodhead,
      A harried man I trow I be.

    XV

    ‘There’s naething left in the fair Dodhead,
      But a greeting wife and bairnies three,
    And sax poor ca’s[1226] stand in the sta’,
      A’ routing loud for their minnie[1227].’--

    XVI

    ‘Alack a wae!’ quo’ auld Jock Grieve,
      ‘Alack! my heart is sair for thee!
    For I was married on the elder sister,
      And you on the youngest of a’ the three.’

    XVII

    Then he has ta’en out a bonny black,
      Was right weel fed with corn and hay,
    And he’s set Jamie Telfer on his back,
      To the Catslockhill to tak the fraye.

    XVIII

    And whan he cam to the Catslockhill,
      He shouted loud, and cried weel hie,
    Till out and spak him William’s Wat,
      ‘O whae’s this brings the fraye to me?’--

    XIX

    ‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer in the fair Dodhead,
      A harried man I think I be!
    The Captain of Bewcastle has driven my gear;
      For God’s sake rise, and succour me!’--

    XX

    ‘Alas for wae!’ quoth William’s Wat,
      ‘Alack, for thee my heart is sair!
    I never cam by the fair Dodhead,
      That ever I fand thy basket bare.’

    XXI

    He’s set his twa sons on coal-black steeds,
      Himsell upon a freckled gray,
    And they are on wi’ Jamie Telfer,
      To Branksome Ha’ to tak the fraye.

    XXII

    And when they cam to Branksome Ha’,
      They shouted a’ baith loud and hie,
    Till up and spak him auld Buccleuch,
      Said, ‘Whae’s this brings the fraye to me?’--

    XXIII

    ‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer in the fair Dodhead,
      And a harried man I think I be!
    There’s nought left in the fair Dodhead,
      But a greeting wife and bairnies three.’--

    XXIV

    ‘Alack for wae!’ quoth the gude auld lord,
      ‘And ever my heart is wae for thee!
    But fye gar cry on Willie, my son,
      And see that he come to me speedilie!

    XXV

    ‘Gar warn the water[1228], braid and wide,
      Gar warn it sune and hastilie!
    They that winna ride for Telfer’s kye,
      Let them never look in the face o’ me!

    XXVI

    ‘Warn Wat o’ Harden, and his sons,
      Wi’ them will Borthwick Water ride;
    Warn Gaudilands, and Allanhaugh,
      And Gilmanscleugh, and Commonside.

    XXVII

    ‘Ride by the gate at Priesthaughswire,
      And warn the Currors o’ the Lee;
    As ye cum down the Hermitage Slack,
      Warn doughty Willie o’ Gorrinberry.’

    XXVIII

    The Scotts they rade, the Scotts they ran,
      Sae starkly and sae steadilie!
    And aye the ower-word o’ the thrang
      Was--‘Rise for Branksome readilie!’

    XXIX

    The gear was driven the Frostylee up,
      Frae the Frostylee unto the plain,
    Whan Willie has look’d his men before,
      And saw the kye right fast drivand.

    XXX

    ‘Whae drives thir kye?’ ’gan Willie say,
      ‘To make an outspeckle[1229] o’ me?’--
    ‘It’s I, the Captain o’ Bewcastle, Willie;
      I winna layne[1230] my name for thee.’--

    XXXI

    ‘O will ye let Telfer’s kye gae back?
      Or will ye do aught for regard o’ me?
    Or, by the faith of my body,’ quo’ Willie Scott,
      ‘I’se ware my dame’s cauf skin[1231] on thee!--

    XXXII

    ‘I winna let the kye gae back,
      Neither for thy love, nor yet thy fear;
    But I will drive Jamie Telfer’s kye,
      In spite of every Scott that’s here.’--

    XXXIII

    ‘Set on them, lads!’ quo’ Willie than;
      ‘Fye, lads, set on them cruellie!
    For ere they win to the Ritterford,
      Mony a toom[1232] saddle there sall be!’

    XXXIV

    Then till ’t[1233] they gaed wi’ heart and hand,
      The blows fell thick as bickering hail;
    And mony a horse ran masterless,
      And mony a comely cheek was pale.

    XXXV

    But Willie was stricken ower the head,
      And thro’ the knapscap[1234] the sword has gane;
    And Harden grat[1235] for very rage,
      Whan Willie on the grund lay slane.

    XXXVI

    But he’s ta’en aff his gude steel cap,
      And thrice he’s waved it in the air--
    The Dinlay snaw was ne’er mair white
      Nor the lyart[1236] locks of Harden’s hair.

    XXXVII

    ‘Revenge! revenge!’ auld Wat ’gan cry;
      ‘Fye, lads, lay on them cruellie!
    We’ll ne’er see Tiviot-side again,
      Or Willie’s death revenged sall be.’

    XXXVIII

    O mony a horse ran masterless,
      The splinter’d lances flew on hie;
    But or they wan to the Kershope ford,
      The Scotts had gotten the victory.

    XXXIX

    John o’ Brigham there was slane,
      And John o’ Barlow, as I heard say;
    And thirty mae o’ the Captain’s men
      Lay bleeding on the grund that day.

    XL

    The Captain was run through the thick of the thigh,
      And broken was his right leg-bane;
    If he had lived this hundred years,
      He had never been loved by woman again.

    XLI

    ‘Hae back the kye!’ the Captain said;
      ‘Dear kye, I trow, to some they be!
    For gin I suld live a hundred years,
      There will ne’er fair lady smile on me.’

    XLII

    Then word is gane to the Captain’s bride,
      Even in the bower where that she lay,
    That her lord was prisoner in enemy’s land,
      Since into Tividale he had led the way.

    XLIII

    ‘I wad lourd[1237] have had a winding-sheet,
      And helped to put it ower his head,
    Ere he had been disgraced by the Border Scot,
      Whan he ower Liddel his men did lead!’

    XLIV

    There was a wild gallant amang us a’,
      His name was Watty wi’ the Wudspurs[1238],
    Cried--‘On for his house in Stanegirthside,
      If ony man will ride with us!’

    XLV

    When they cam to the Stanegirthside,
      They dang wi’ trees, and burst the door;
    They loosed out a’ the Captain’s kye,
      And set them forth our lads before.

    XLVI

    There was an auld wyfe ayont the fire,
      A wee bit o’ the Captain’s kin--
    ‘Whae dar loose out the Captain’s kye,
      Or answer to him and his men?’--

    XLVII

    ‘It’s I, Watty Wudspurs, loose the kye,
      I winna layne my name frae thee!
    And I will loose out the Captain’s kye,
      In scorn of a’ his men and he.’

    XLVIII

    Whan they cam to the fair Dodhead,
      They were a wellcum sight to see!
    For instead of his ain ten milk kye,
      Jamie Telfer has gotten thirty and three.

    XLIX

    And he has paid the rescue shot,
      Baith wi’ gowd and white monie;
    And at the burial o’ Willie Scott,
      I wat was mony a weeping e’e.

FOOTNOTES:

[1221] laigh = low.

[1222] peel = stronghold, keep.

[1223] rowing = rolling.

[1224] gryming = sprinkling.

[1225] fraye = fright, alarm.

[1226] ca’s = calves.

[1227] minnie = mother.

[1228] warn the water = raise the cry along the waterside.

[1229] outspeckle = laughing-stock.

[1230] layne = lie, falsen.

[1231] ware, &c. = spend, use my mother’s calf-skin whip.

[1232] toom = empty.

[1233] till ’t = to it.

[1234] knapscap = headpiece.

[1235] grat = wept.

[1236] lyart = grizzled.

[1237] lourd = liefer, rather.

[1238] wudspurs = hotspur, or madspur.




_142. Dick o’ the Cow_


    I

    Now Liddesdale has lain lang in,
      There is na ryding[1239] there at a’;
    The horses are a’ grown sae lither[1240] fat,
      They downa stir out o’ the sta’.

    II

    Fair Johnie Armstrong to Willie did say--
      ‘Billie, a-ryding then will we;
    England and us have been lang at feid;
      Aiblins[1241] we’ll light on some bootie.’--

    III

    Then they’re come on to Hutton Ha’;
      They rade that proper place about.
    But the Laird he was the wiser man,
      For he had left nae gear without:

    IV

    For he had left nae gear to steal,
      Except sax sheep upon a lea:
    Quo’ Johnie--‘I’d rather in England die,
      Ere thir sax sheep gae to Liddesdale wi’ me.

    V

    ‘But how ca’ they the man we last met,
      Billie, as we cam owre the know[1242]?’--
    ‘That same he is an innocent fule,
      And men they call him Dick o’ the Cow.’

    VI

    ‘That fule has three as good kye o’ his ain,
      As there are in a’ Cumberland, billie,’ quo’ he.
    ‘Betide me life, betide me death,
      These kye shall go to Liddesdale wi’ me.’

    VII

    Then they’re come on to the pure fule’s house,
      And they hae broken his wa’s sae wide;
    They have loosed out Dick o’ the Cow’s three kye,
      And ta’en three co’erlets off his wife’s bed.

    VIII

    Then on the morn when the day grew light,
      The shouts and cries raise loud and hie:
    ‘O haud thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,
      ‘And o’ thy crying let me be!

    IX

    ‘O haud thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,
      ‘And o’ thy crying let me be;
    And aye where thou hast lost ae cow,
      In gude sooth I shall bring thee three.’

    X

    Now Dickie’s gane to the gude Lord Scroope,
      And I wat a dreirie fule was he;
    ‘Now haud thy tongue, my fule,’ he says,
      ‘For I may not stand to jest wi’ thee.’

    XI

    ‘Shame fa’ your jesting, my lord!’ quo’ Dickie,
      ‘For nae sic jesting grees wi’ me;
    Liddesdale’s been in my house last night,
      And they hae awa’ my three kye frae me.

    XII

    ‘But I may nae langer in Cumberland dwell,
      To be your puir fule and your leal,
    Unless you gie me leave, my lord,
      To gae to Liddesdale and steal’--

    XIII

    ‘I gie thee leave, my fule!’ he says;
      ‘Thou speakest against my honour and me,
    Unless thou gie me thy troth and thy hand,
      Thou’lt steal frae nane but wha sta’ frae thee.’--

    XIV

    ‘There is my troth, and my right hand!
      My head shall hang on Hairibee[1243];
    I’ll never cross Carlisle sands again,
      If I steal frae a man but wha sta’ frae me.’

    XV

    Dickie’s ta’en leave o’ lord and master;
      I wat a merry fule was he!
    He’s bought a bridle and a pair o’ new spurs,
      And packed them up in his breek thie[1244].

    XVI

    Then Dickie’s come on to Puddingburn house,
      Even as fast as he might dree[1245]:
    Then Dickie’s come on to Puddingburn,
      Where there were thirty Armstrangs and three.

    XVII

    ‘O what’s this come o’ me now?’ quo’ Dickie;
      ‘What mickle wae is this?’ quo’ he,
    ‘For here is but ae innocent fule,
      And there are thirty Armstrangs and three!’

    XVIII

    Yet he has come up to the fair ha’ board,
      Sae well he became his courtesie!
    ‘Well may ye be, my gude Laird’s Jock!
      But the dèil bless a’ your companie.

    XIX

    ‘I’m come to plain[1246] o’ your man, Johnie Armstrang,
      And syne o’ his billie Willie,’ quo’ he;
    ‘How they hae been in my house last night,
      And they hae ta’en my three kye frae me.’--

    XX

    ‘Ha!’ quo’ Johnie Armstrang, ‘we will him hang.’
      --‘Na,’ quo’ Willie, ‘we’ll him slae.’--
    Then up and spak another young Armstrang,
      ‘We’ll gie him his batts[1247], and let him gae.’

    XXI

    But up and spak the gude Laird’s Jock,
      The best in a’ the companie,
    ‘Sit down thy ways a little while, Dickie,
      And a piece o’ thy ain cow’s hough I’ll gie ye.’

    XXII

    But Dickie’s heart it grew sae grit[1248],
      That the ne’er a bit o’t he dought to[1249] eat--
    Then he was aware of in auld peat-house,
      Where a’ the night he thought for to sleep

    XXIII

    Then Dickie was ware of an auld peat-house,
      Where a’ the night he thought for to lye--
    And a’ the prayers the puir fule pray’d,
      Were, ‘I wish I had mends[1250] for my gude three kye!’

    XXIV

    It was then the use of Puddingburn house,
      And the house of Mangerton, all hail,
    Them that cam na it the first ca’,
      Gat nae mair meat till the neist meal.

    XXV

    The lads, that hungry and weary were,
      Abune the door-head they threw the key;
    Dickie he took gude notice o’ that,
      Says--‘There will be a bootie for me.’

    XXVI

    Then Dickie has into the stable gane,
      Where there stood thirty horses and three;
    He has tied them a’ wi’ St. Mary’s knot[1251],
      A’ these horses but barely three.

    XXVII

    He has tied them a’ wi’ St. Mary’s knot,
      A’ these horses but barely three;
    He’s loupen on ane, ta’en another in hand,
      And out at the door is gane Dickie.

    XXVIII

    But on the morn, when the day grew light,
      The shouts and cries raise loud and hie
    ‘Ah! wha has done this?’ quo’ the gude Laird’s Jock,
      ‘Tell me the truth and the verity!

    XXIX

    ‘Wha has done this deed?’ quo’ the gude Laird’s Jock;
      ‘See that to me ye dinna lee!’--
    ‘Dickie has been in the stable last night,
      And my brother’s horse and mine’s frae me.’--

    XXX

    ‘Ye wad ne’er be tauld,’ quo’ the gude Laird’s Jock;
      ‘Have ye not found my tales fu’ leil?
    Ye never wad out o’ England bide,
      Till crooked and blind and a’ would steal.’--

    XXXI

    ‘But lend me thy bay,’ fair Johnie can say;
      ‘There’s nae horse loose in the stable save he;
    And I’ll either fetch Dick o’ the Cow again,
      Or the day is come that he shall dee.’--

    XXXII

    ‘To lend thee my bay!’ the Laird’s Jock ’gan say;
      ‘He’s baith worth gowd and gude monie.
    Dick o’ the Cow has awa’ twa horse:
      I wish na thou may make him three.’

    XXXIII

    He his ta’en the laird’s jack[1252] on his back,
      A twa-handed sword to hang by his thie;
    He has ta’en a steel cap on his head,
      And on he is to follow Dickie.

    XXXIV

    Dickie was na a mile aff the town,
      I wat a mile but barely three,
    When he was o’erta’en by Johnie Armstrong,
      Hand for hand, on Cannobie lee.

    XXXV

    ‘Abide, abide, thou traitour thiefe!
      The day is come that thou maun dee!’
    Then Dickie look’t ower his left shoulder,
      --‘Johnie, hast thou nae mae in thy companie?

    XXXVI

    ‘There is a preacher in our chapell,
      And a’ the lee-lang day teaches he:
    When day is gane and night is come,
      There’s ne’er a word I mark but three.

    XXXVII

    ‘The first and second is--_Faith_ and _Conscience_;
      The third--_Johnie, take heed o’ thee!_
    But, Johnie, what faith and conscience was thine,
      When thou took awa’ my three kye frae me?

    XXXVIII

    ‘And when thou had ta’en awa’ my three kye,
      Thou thought in thy heart thou wast no well sped,
    Till thou sent thy billie owre the know,
      To tak three co’erlets off my wife’s bed!’--

    XXXIX

    Then Johnie let a spear fa’ laigh[1253] by his thie,
      Thought weel to hae run the innocent through,
    But the powers above were mair than he,
      For he ran but the pure fule’s jerkin through.

    XL

    Together they ran, or ever they blan[1254];
      This was Dickie the fule and he!
    Dickie couldna win at him wi’ the blade o’ the sword,
      But fell’d him wi’ the plummet[1255] under the ee.

    XLI

    Thus Dickie has fell’d fair Johnie Armstrong,
      The prettiest man in the south country:
    ‘Gramercy!’ then ’gan Dickie say,
      ‘I had but twa horse, thou hast made me three!’

    XLII

    He’s ta’en the laird’s jack aff Johnie’s back,
      The twa-handed sword that hung low by his thie;
    He’s ta’en the steel cap aff his head--
      ‘Johnie, I’ll tell that I met wi’ thee.’

    XLIII

    When Johnie waken’d out o’ his dream,
      I wat a dreirie man was he:
    ‘And is thou gane? Now, Dickie, than
      The shame and dule is left wi’ me.

    XLIV

    ‘And is thou gane? Now, Dickie, than
      The deil gae in thy companie!
    For if I should live these hundred years,
      I ne’er shall fight wi’ a fule after thee.’

    XLV

    Then Dickie’s come hame to the gude Lord Scroope,
      E’en as fast as he might hie;
    ‘Now, Dickie, I’ll neither eat nor drink,
      Till hie hangèd that thou shall be.’--

    XLVI

    ‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo’ Dickie;
      ‘This was na the promise ye made to me!
    For I’d ne’er gang to Liddesdale to steal,
      Had I not got my leave frae thee.’--

    XLVII

    ‘But what gar’d thee steal the Laird’s Jock’s horse?
      And, limmer, what gar’d ye steal him?’ quo’ he;
    ‘For lang thou mightst in Cumberland dwelt
      Or the Laird’s Jock had stown aught frae thee.’--

    XLVIII

    ‘Indeed I wat ye lied, my lord!
      And e’en sae loud as I hear ye lie!
    I wan the horse frae fair Johnie Armstrang,
      Hand to hand, on Cannobie lee.

    XLIX

    ‘There is the jack was on his back;
      This twa-handed sword hung laigh by his thie;
    And there’s the steel cap was on his head;
      I brought a’ these tokens to let thee see.’--

    L

    ‘If that be true thou to me tells
      (And I think thou dares na tell me a lee),
    I’ll gie thee fifteen punds for the horse,
      Well tauld on thy cloak lap they shall be.

    LI

    ‘I’ll gie thee ane o’ my best milk kye,
      To maintain thy wife and children three;
    And that may be as gude, I think,
      As ony twa o’ thine wad be.’--

    LII

    ‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo’ Dickie;
      ‘Trow ye aye to make a fule o’ me?
    I’ll either hae twenty punds for the gude horse,
      Or he’s gae to Mortan Fair wi’ me.’

    LIII

    He’s gi’en him twenty punds for the gude horse,
      A’ in the goud and gude monie;
    He’s gi’en him ane o’ his best milk kye,
      To maintain his wife and children three.

    LIV

    Then Dickie’s come down thro’ Carlisle toun,
      E’en as fast as he could drie:
    The first o’ men that he met wi’
      Was my Lord’s brother, Bailiff Glozenburrie.

    LV

    ‘Weil be ye met, my gude Ralph Scroope!’--
      ‘Welcome, my brother’s fule!’ quo’ he;
    ‘Where didst thou get Johnie Armstrang’s horse?’--
      ‘Where did I get him, but steal him,’ quo’ he.

    LVI

    ‘But wilt thou sell me the bonny horse?
      And, billie, wilt thou sell him to me?’ quo’ he.--
    ‘Ay; if thou’lt tell me the monie on my cloak lap:
      For there’s never ae penny I’ll trust thee.’--

    LVII

    ‘I’ll gie thee ten punds for the gude horse,
      Weil tauld on thy cloak lap they shall be;
    And I’ll gie thee ane o’ the best milk kye,
      To maintain thy wife and children three.’--

    LVIII

    ‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo’ Dickie;
      ‘Trow ye aye to make a fule o’ me!
    I’ll either hae twenty punds for the gude horse,
      Or he’s gae to Mortan Fair wi’ me.’--

    LIX

    He’s gi’en him twenty punds for the gude horse,
      Baith in goud and gude monie;
    He’s gi’en him ane o’ his milk kye,
      To maintain his wife and children three.

    LX

    Then Dickie lap a loup[1256] fu’ hie,
      And I wat a loud laugh laughèd he:
    ‘I wish the neck o’ the third horse was broken,
      If ony of the twa were better than he!’

    LXI

    Then Dickie’s come hame to his wife again;
      Judge ye how the puir fule had sped!
    He has gi’en her twa score English punds,
      For the three auld co’erlets ta’en aff her bed.

    LXII

    ‘And tak thee these twa as gude kye,
      I trow, as a’ thy three might be;
    And yet here is a white-footed nag,
      I trow he’ll carry baith thee and me.

    LXIII

    ‘But I may nae langer in Cumberland bide;
      The Armstrangs they would hang me hie.’--
    So Dickie’s ta’en leave at lord and master,
      And at Burgh under Stanmuir dwells Dickie.

FOOTNOTES:

[1239] ryding = raiding.

[1240] lither = _here an adverb_, vilely.

[1241] aiblins = perchance.

[1242] know = knop of the hill.

[1243] Hairibee = the place of execution at Carlisle.

[1244] breek thie = thigh-pocket of his breeches.

[1245] dree = last, endure.

[1246] plain = complain.

[1247] batts = beating.

[1248] grit = great i. e. his heart swelled so.

[1249] dought to = could.

[1250] mends = amends.

[1251] tied wi’ St Mary’s knot = hamstrung.

[1252] jack = short coat of mail.

[1253] laigh = low.

[1254] blan = checked, stopped.

[1255] plummet = pommel.

[1256] lap a loup = leapt a leap.




_143. Hughie the Graeme_


    I

    Gude Lord Scroope’s to the hunting gane,
      He has ridden o’er moss and muir;
    And he has grippit Hughie the Graeme,
      For stealing o’ the Bishop’s mare.

    II

    ‘Now, good Lord Scroope, this may not be!
      Here hangs a broadsword by my side;
    And if that thou canst conquer me,
      The matter it may soon be tryed.’--

    III

    ‘I ne’er was afraid of a traitor thief;
      Although thy name be Hughie the Graeme,
    I’ll make thee repent thee of thy deeds,
      If God but grant me life and time.’--

    IV

    ‘Then do your worst now, good Lord Scroope,
      And deal your blows as hard as you can!
    It shall be tried within an hour,
      Which of us two is the better man.’--

    V

    But as they were dealing their blows so free,
      And both so bloody at the time,
    Over the moss came ten yeomen so tall,
      All for to take brave Hughie the Graeme.

    VI

    Then they hae grippit Hughie the Graeme,
      And brought him up through Carlisle town:
    The lasses and lads stood on the walls,
      Crying, ‘Hughie the Graeme, thou’se ne’er gae down!’

    VII

    Then they hae chosen a jury of men,
      The best that were in Carlisle town;
    And twelve of them cried out at once,
      ‘Hughie the Graeme, thou must gae down!’

    VIII

    Then up bespak him gude Lord Hume,
      As he sat by the judge’s knee;
    ‘Twenty white owsen, my gude lord,
      If you’ll grant Hughie the Graeme to me.’--

    IX

    ‘O no, O no, my gude Lord Hume!
      For sooth and sae it mauna be;
    For, were there but three Graemes of the name,
      They suld be hangèd a’ for me.’--

    X

    ’Twas up and spake the gude Lady Hume,
      As she sat by the judge’s knee;
    ‘A peck of white pennies, my gude lord judge,
      If you’ll grant Hughie the Graeme to me!’--

    XI

    ‘O no, O no, my gude Lady Hume,
      Forsooth and so it must na be;
    Were he but the one Graeme of the name,
      He suld be hangèd high for me.’--

    XII

    ‘If I be guilty,’ said Hughie the Graeme,
      ‘Of me my friends shall have small talk’;
    And he’s loupèd fifteen feet and three,
      Though his hands they were tied behind his back.

    XIII

    He lookèd over his left shoulder,
      And for to see what he might see;
    There was he aware of his auld father,
      Came tearing his hair most piteouslie.

    XIV

    ‘O hald your tongue, my father,’ he says,
      ‘And see that ye dinna weep for me!
    For they may ravish me o’ my life,
      But they canna banish me fro’ Heaven hie.

    XV

    ‘Here, Johnie Armstrang, take thou my sword,
      That is made o’ the metal sae fine;
    And when thou comest to the English side,
      Remember the death of Hughie the Graeme.’




_144. The Lochmaben Harper_


    I

    O heard ye na o’ the silly blind Harper,
      How long he lived in Lochmaben town?
    And how he wad gang to fair England,
      To steal King Henry’s Wanton Brown?

    II

    But first he gaed to his gude wyfe,
      Wi’ a’ the haste that he could thole[1257]--
    ‘This wark,’ quo’ he, ‘will ne’er gae weel,
      Without a mare that has a foal.’--

    III

    Quo’ she, ‘Thou hast a gude gray mare,
      That’ll rin o’er hills baith laigh[1258] and hie;
    Sae set thee on the gray mare’s back,
      And leave the foal at hame wi’ me.’

    IV

    So he is up to England gane,
      And even as fast as he can hie;
    And when he cam to Carlisle gate,
      O whae was there but the King Henrye?

    V

    ‘Come into my hall, thou silly blind Harper,
      And of thy harping let me hear!’--
    ‘O, by my sooth,’ quo’ the silly blind Harper,
      ‘I’d rather hae stabling for my mare.’

    VI

    The King look’d ower his left shoulder,
      And said unto his stable groom;
    ‘Gae take the silly blind Harper’s mare,
      And tie her beside my Wanton Brown.’

    VII

    Then aye he harpit, and aye he carpit[1259],
      Till a’ the lordlings footed the floor;
    They thought the music was sae sweet,
      They had nae mind o’ the stable door.

    VIII

    And aye he harpit, and aye he carpit,
      Till a’ the nobles were fast asleep;
    Then quietly he took aff his shoon,
      And saftly down the stair did creep.

    IX

    Syne to the stable door he hied,
      Wi’ tread as light as light could be;
    And when he open’d and gaed in,
      There he fand thirty steeds and three.

    X

    He took a colt halter frae his hose,
      And o’ his purpose he didna fail;
    He slipt it owre the Wanton’s nose,
      And tied it to his gray mare’s tail.

    XI

    He turn’d them loose at the castle gate,
      Owre muir and moss and ilka dale;
    And she ne’er let the Wanton bait,
      But kept him still gaun to her tail.

    XII

    The mare she was right swift o’ foot,
      She didna fail to find the way;
    For she was at Lochmaben gate
      Fu’ lang three hours before the day.

    XIII

    When she came to the Harper’s door,
      There she gave mony a nicker and sneer[1260]--
    ‘Rise up,’ quo’ the wife, ‘thou lazy lass;
      Let in thy master and his mare!’

    XIV

    Then up she rose, put on her clothes,
      And keekit out through the lock-hole--
    ‘O! by my sooth,’ then cried the lass,
      ‘Our mare has gotten a braw brown foal!’--

    XV

    ‘Come haud thy tongue, thou foolish lass!
      The moon’s but glancing in your ee.
    I’ll wad my hail fee[1261] against a groat,
      He’s bigger than e’er our foal will be.’

    XVI

    Now all this while in merry Carlisle
      The Harper harpit to hie and law;
    And the fiend dought they do[1262] but listen him to,
      Until that the day began to daw.

    XVII

    But on the morn at fair daylight,
      When they had ended a’ their cheer,
    Behold the Wanton Brown was gane,
      And eke the poor blind Harper’s mare!

    XVIII

    ‘Allace! allace!’ quo’ the silly blind Harper,
      ‘And ever allace that I cam here!
    In Scotland I’ve tint a braw colt foal,
      In England they’ve stown my gude gray mare!’--

    XIX

    ‘Come! cease thy allacing, thou silly blind Harper,
      And again of thy harping let us hear;
    And weel paid sall thy colt-foal be,
      And thou sall have a far better mare.’

    XX

    Then aye he harpit, and aye he carpit,
      Sae sweet were the harpings he let them hear!
    He was paid for the foal he had never lost,
      And three times ower for the gude gray mare.

FOOTNOTES:

[1257] thole = suffer, be capable of.

[1258] laigh = low.

[1259] carpit = sang, recited.

[1260] nicker and sneer = whinny and snort.

[1261] wad my hail fee = bet my whole wages.

[1262] fiend dought they do = the deuce could they do.




_145. The Fire of Frendraught_


    I

    The eighteenth of October,
      A dismal tale to hear
    How good Lord John and Rothiemay
      Was both burnt in the fire.

    II

    When steeds was saddled and well bridled,
      And ready for to ride,
    Then out it came her false Frendraught,
      Inviting them to bide.

    III

    Said, ‘Stay this night untill we sup,
      The morn untill we dine;
    ’Twill be a token of good greement
      ’Twixt your good lord and mine.’

    IV

    ‘We’ll turn again,’ said good Lord John;
      ‘But no,’ said Rothiemay,
    ‘My steed’s trapan’d[1263], my bridle’s broken,
      I fear the day I’m fey[1264].’

    V

    When mass was sung and bells was rung,
      And all men bound for bed,
    Then good Lord John and Rothiemay
      In one chamber was laid.

    VI

    They had not long cast off their cloaths,
      And were but now asleep,
    When the weary smoke began to rise,
      Likewise the scorching heat.

    VII

    ‘O waken, waken, Rothiemay!
      O waken, brother dear!
    And turn you to our Saviour;
      There is strong treason here.’

    VIII

    When they were dressèd in their cloaths,
      And ready for to boun,
    The doors and windows was all secur’d,
      The roof-tree burning down.

    IX

    He did him to the wire-window[1265],
      As fast as he could gang;
    Says, Wae to the hands put in the stancheons!
      For out we’ll never win.

    X

    When he stood at the wire-window,
      Most doleful to be seen,
    He did espy her Lady Frendraught,
      Who stood upon the green.

    XI

    Cried, ‘Mercy, mercy, Lady Frendraught!
      Will ye not sink with sin?
    For first your husband killed my father,
      And now you burn his son.’

    XII

    O then out spoke her Lady Frendraught,
      And loudly did she cry;
    ‘It were great pity for good Lord John,
      But none for Rothiemay;
    But the keys are casten in the deep draw-well,
      Ye cannot get away.’

    XIII

    While he stood in this dreadful plight,
      Most piteous to be seen,
    There callèd out his servant Gordon,
      As he had frantic been:

    XIV

    ‘O loup, O loup, my dear master!
      O loup and come to me!
    I’ll catch you in my arms twa,
      One foot I will not flee.

    XV

    ‘O loup, O loup, my dear master!
      O loup and come away!
    I’ll catch you in my arms twa,
      But Rothiemay may lie.’--

    XVI

    ‘The fish shall never swim in the flood,
      Nor corn grow through the clay,
    Nor the fiercest fire that ever was kindled
      Twin[1266] me and Rothiemay.

    XVII

    ‘But I cannot loup, I cannot come,
      I cannot win to thee;
    My head’s fast in the wire-window,
      My feet burning from me.

    XVIII

    ‘My eyes are seething in my head,
      My flesh roasting also,
    My bowels are boiling with my blood;
      Is not that a woeful woe?

    XIX

    ‘Take here the rings from my white fingers,
      That are so long and small,
    And give them to my lady fair,
      Where she sits in her hall.

    XX

    ‘So I cannot loup, I cannot come,
      I cannot loup to thee;
    My earthly part is all consumed,
      My spirit but speaks to thee.’

    XXI

    Wringing her hands, tearing her hair,
      His lady she was seen,
    And thus address’d his servant Gordon,
      Where he stood on the green.

    XXII

    ‘O wae be to you, George Gordon!
      An ill death may you die!
    So safe and sound as you stand there,
      And my lord bereaved for me!’--

    XXIII

    ‘I bad him loup, I bad him come,
      I bad him loup to me;
    I’d catch him in my arms twa,
      A foot I should not flee.

    XXIV

    ‘He threw me the rings from his white fingers,
      Which were so long and small,
    To give to you, his lady fair,
      Where you sat in your hall.’

    XXV

    Sophia Hay[1267], Sophia Hay,
      O bonny Sophia was her name,
    Her waiting maid put on her cloaths,
      But I wot she tore them off again!

    XXVI

    And aft she cried, ‘Ohon! alas!
      A sair heart’s ill to win;
    I wan a sair heart when I married him,
      And to-day it’s return’d again.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1263] trapan’d = tampered with.

[1264] fey = doomed, having my fate on me.

[1265] wire-window = grated window.

[1266] twin = part.

[1267] Sophia Hay = wife of Lord John [Gordon], burned in this fire.
She had jilted the young lord of Tolquhon to marry him, which explains
the allusion in the last stanza.




_146. The Death of Parcy Reed_


    I

    God send the land deliverance
      Frae every reaving, riding Scot;
    We’ll sune hae neither cow nor ewe,
      We’ll sune hae neither staig nor stot[1268].

    II

    The outlaws come frae Liddesdale,
      They herry Redesdale far and near;
    The rich man’s gelding it maun gang,
      They canna pass the puir man’s mare.

    III

    Sure it were weel, had ilka thief
      Around his neck a halter strang;
    And curses heavy may they light
      On traitors vile oursels amang!

    IV

    Now Parcy Reed has Crosier taen,
      He has delivered him to the law;
    But Crosier says he’ll do waur than that,
      He’ll make the tower o’ Troughend fa’.

    V

    And Crosier says he will do waur,
      He will do waur if waur can be;
    He’ll make the bairns a’ fatherless,
      And then, the land it may lie lee.

    VI

    ‘To the hunting, ho!’ cried Parcy Reed,
      ‘The morning sun is on the dew;
    The cauler breeze frae off the fells
      Will lead the dogs to the quarry true.

    VII

    ‘To the hunting, ho!’ cried Parcy Reed,
      And to the hunting he has gane;
    And the three fause Ha’s o’ Girsonsfield
      Alang wi’ him he has them taen.

    VIII

    They hunted high, they hunted low,
      By heathery hill and birken shaw;
    They raised a buck on Rooken Edge,
      And blew the mort[1269] at fair Ealylawe

    IX

    They hunted high, they hunted low,
      They made the echoes ring amain;
    With music sweet o’ horn and hound,
      They merry made fair Redesdale glen.

    X

    They hunted high, they hunted low,
      They hunted up, they hunted down,
    Until the day was past the prime,
      And it grew late in the afternoon.

    XI

    They hunted high in Batinghope,
      When as the sun was sinking low;
    Says Parcy then, ‘Ca’ off the dogs,
      We’ll bait our steeds and homeward go.’

    XII

    They lighted high in Batinghope,
      Atween the brown and benty ground;
    They had but rested a little while
      Till Parcy Reed was sleeping sound.

    XIII

    There’s nane may lean on a rotten staff,
      But him that risks to get a fa’;
    There’s nane may in a traitor trust,
      And traitors black were every Ha’.

    XIV

    They’ve stown the bridle off his steed,
      And they’ve put water in his lang gun;
    They’ve fixed his sword within the sheath
      That out again it winna come.

    XV

    ‘Awaken ye, waken ye, Parcy Reed,
      Or by your enemies be ta’en!
    For yonder are the five Crosiers
      A-coming owre the Hingin-stane!’--

    XVI

    ‘If they be five, and we be four,
      Sae that ye stand alang wi’ me,
    Then every man ye will take one,
      And only leave but two to me:
    We will them meet as brave men ought,
      And make them either fight or flee.’--

    XVII

    ‘We mayna stand, we canna stand,
      We daurna stand alang wi’ thee;
    The Crosiers haud thee at a feud,
      And they wad kill baith thee and we.’--

    XVIII

    ‘O turn thee, turn thee, Johnie Ha’,
      O turn thee, man, and fight wi’ me;
    When ye come to Troughend again,
      My gude black naig I will gie thee;
    He cost full twenty pound o’ gowd,
      Atween my brother John and me.’--

    XIX

    ‘I mayna turn, I canna turn,
      I daurna turn and fight wi’ thee;
    The Crosiers haud thee at a feud,
      And they wad kill baith thee and me.--

    XX

    ‘O turn thee, turn thee, Willie Ha’,
      O turn thee, man, and fight wi’ me;
    When ye come to Troughend again,
      A yoke o’ owsen I’ll gie thee.’--

    XXI

    ‘I mayna turn, I canna turn,
      I daurna turn and fight wi’ thee;
    The Crosiers haud thee at a feud,
      And they wad kill baith thee and me.’--

    XXII

    ‘O turn thee, turn thee, Tommy Ha’,
      O turn now, man, and fight wi’ me;
    If ever we come to Troughend again,
      My daughter Jean I’ll gie to thee.’--

    XXIII

    ‘I mayna turn, I canna turn,
      I daurna turn and fight wi’ thee;
    The Crosiers haud thee at a feud,
      And they wad kill baith thee and me.’--

    XXIV

    ‘O shame upon ye, traitors a’!
      I wish your hames ye may never see;
    Ye’ve stown the bridle off my naig,
      And I can neither fight nor flee.

    XXV

    ‘Ye’ve stown the bridle off my naig,
      And ye’ve put water i’ my lang gun;
    Ye’ve fixed my sword within the sheath
      That out again it winna come.’

    XXVI

    He had but time to cross himsel’.
      A prayer he hadna time to say,
    Till round him came the Crosiers keen,
      All riding graith’d[1270] and in array.

    XXVII

    ‘Weel met, weel met, now, Parcy Reed,
      Thou art the very man we sought;
    Owre lang hae we been in your debt,
      Now will we pay you as we ought.

    XXVIII

    ‘We’ll pay thee at the nearest tree,
      Where we shall hang thee like a hound.’--
    Brave Parcy rais’d his fankit[1271] sword,
      And fell’d the foremost to the ground.

    XXIX

    Alake, and wae for Parcy Reed!
      Alake, he was an unarmed man!
    Four weapons pierced him all at once,
      As they assail’d him there and than.

    XXX

    They fell upon him all at once,
      They mangled him most cruellie;
    The slightest wound might caused his deid,
      And they hae gi’en him thirty-three;
    They hackit off his hands and feet,
      And left him lying on the lee.

    XXXI

    ‘Now, Parcy Reed, we’ve paid our debt,
      Ye canna weel dispute the tale,’
    The Crosiers said, and off they rade;
      They rade the airt[1272] o’ Liddesdale.

    XXXII

    It was the hour o’ gloaming gray,
      When herds come in frae fauld and pen;
    A herd he saw a huntsman lie,
      Says he, ‘Can this be Laird Troughen’?’--

    XXXIII

    ‘There’s some will ca’ me Parcy Reed,
      And some will ca’ me Laird Troughen’;
    It’s little matter what they ca’ me,
      My faes hae made me ill to ken.

    XXXIV

    ‘There’s some will ca’ me Parcy Reed,
      And speak my praise in tower and town;
    It’s little matter what they do now,
      My life-blood rudds the heather brown.

    XXXV

    ‘There’s some will ca’ me Parcy Reed,
      And a’ my virtues say and sing;
    I would much rather have just now
      A draught o’ water frae the spring.’

    XXXVI

    The herd flung aff his clouted shoon
      And to the nearest fountain ran;
    He made his bonnet serve a cup,
      And wan the blessing o’ the dying man.

    XXXVII

    ‘Now, honest herd, ye maun do mair,
      Ye maun do mair, as I you tell;
    Ye maun bear tidings to Troughend,
      And bear likewise my last farewell.

    XXXVIII

    ‘A farewell to my wedded wife,
      A farewell to my brother John,
    Wha sits into the Troughend tower
      Wi’ heart as black as any stone.

    XXXIX

    ‘A farewell to my daughter Jean,
      A farewell to my young sons five;
    Had they been at their father’s hand,
      I had this night been man alive.

    XL

    ‘A farewell to my followers a’,
      And a’ my neighbours gude at need;
    Bid them think how the treacherous Ha’s
      Betrayed the life o’ Parcy Reed.

    XLI

    ‘The laird o’ Clennel bears my bow,
      The laird o’ Brandon bears my brand;
    Whene’er they ride i’ the Border-side,
      They’ll mind the fate o’ the laird Troughend.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1268] stot = steer.

[1269] mort = death of the deer.

[1270] graith’d = harnessed, in armour.

[1271] fankit = entangled.

[1272] airt = direction.




_147. Baby Livingston_


    I

    O bonny Baby Livingston
      Went forth to view the hay,
    And by it came him Glenlyon,
      Sta’ bonny Baby away.

    II

    O first he’s ta’en her silken coat,
      And neist her satten gown,
    Syne row’d[1273] her in a tartan plaid,
      And hap’d her roun’ and roun’.

    III

    He has set her upon his steed
      And roundly rode away,
    And ne’er loot her look back again
      The live-long summer’s day.

    IV

    He’s carried her o’er hills and muirs
      Till they came to a Highland glen,
    And there he’s met his brother John,
      With twenty armèd men.

    V

    O there were cows, and there were ewes,
      And lasses milking there!
    But Baby ne’er ance look’d about,
      Her heart was fill’d wi’ care.

    VI

    Glenlyon took her in his arms,
      And kiss’d her, cheek and chin;
    Says, ‘I’d gie a’ these cows and ewes
      But ae kind look to win.’--

    VII

    ‘O ae kind look ye ne’er shall get,
      Nor win a smile frae me,
    Unless to me you’ll favour shew,
      And take me to Dundee.’--

    VIII

    ‘Dundee, Baby? Dundee, Baby?
      Dundee you ne’er shall see
    Till I’ve carried you to Glenlyon
      And have my bride made thee.

    IX

    ‘We’ll stay a while at Auchingour,
      And get sweet milk and cheese,
    And syne we’ll gang to Glenlyon,
      And there live at our ease.’--

    X

    ‘I winna stay at Auchingour,
      Nor eat sweet milk and cheese,
    Nor go with thee to Glenlyon,
      For there I’ll ne’er find ease.’

    XI

    Then out it spake his brother John,
      ‘O were I in your place,
    I’d take that lady hame again,
      For a’ her bonny face.

    XII

    ‘Commend me to the lass that’s kind,
      Tho’ na so gently born;
    And, gin her heart I coudna gain,
      To take her hand I’d scorn.’--

    XIII

    ‘O haud your tongue now, John,’ he says,
      ‘You wis na what you say;
    For I have lo’ed that bonny face
      This twelve month and a day.

    XIV

    ‘And tho’ I’ve lo’ed her lang and sair,
      A smile I ne’er cou’d win;
    Yet what I’ve got ance in my power
      To keep I think nae sin.’

    XV

    When they came to Glenlyon Castle,
      They lighted at the yate,
    And out it came his sisters three,
      Wha did them kindly greet.

    XVI

    O they’ve ta’en Baby by the hands
      And led her o’er the green,
    And ilka lady spake a word,
      But bonny Baby spake nane.

    XVII

    Then out it spake her bonny Jean,
      The youngest o’ the three;
    ‘O lady, dinna look sae sad,
      But tell your grief to me.’--

    XVIII

    ‘O wherefore should I tell my grief,
      Since lax[1274] I canna find?
    I’m stown frae a’ my kin and friends,
      And my love I left behind.

    XIX

    ‘But had I paper, pen, and ink,
      Before that it were day,
    I yet might get a letter sent
      In time to Johny Hay.’

    XX

    O she’s got paper, pen, and ink,
      And candle that she might see,
    And she has written a broad letter
      To Johny at Dundee.

    XXI

    And she has gotten a bonny boy,
      That was baith swift and strang,
    Wi’ philabeg and bonnet blue,
      Her errand for to gang.

    XXII

    ‘O boy, gin ye’d my blessing win
      And help me in my need,
    Run wi’ this letter to my love,
      And bid him come wi’ speed.

    XXIII

    ‘And here’s a chain of good red gowd,
      And gowden guineas three,
    And when you’ve well your errand done,
      You’ll get them for your fee.’

    XXIV

    The boy he ran o’er hill and dale,
      Fast as a bird cou’d flee,
    And ere the sun was twa hours height
      The boy was at Dundee.

    XXV

    And when he came to Johny’s door
      He knockèd loud and sair;
    Then Johny to the window came,
      And loudly cry’d, ‘Wha’s there?’--

    XXVI

    ‘O here’s a letter I have brought,
      Which ye maun quickly read,
    And, gin ye wou’d your lady save,
      Gang back wi’ me wi’ speed.’

    XXVII

    O when he had the letter read,
      An angry man was he;
    He says, ‘Glenlyon, thou shalt rue
      This deed of villany!

    XXVIII

    ‘Woe be to thee, Glenlyon!’ he says,
      ‘An ill death may thou dee!
    Thou micht hae ta’en anither woman,
      And let my lady be.

    XXIX

    ‘O saddle to me the black, the black,
      O saddle to me the brown,
    O saddle to me the swiftest steed
      That e’er rade frae the town.

    XXX

    ‘And arm ye well, my merry men a’,
      And follow me to the glen,
    For I vow I’ll neither eat nor sleep
      Till I get my love again.’

    XXXI

    He’s mounted on a milk-white steed,
      The boy upon a gray,
    And they got to Glenlyon’s castle
      About the close of day.

    XXXII

    As Baby at her window stood,
      The west wind saft did bla’;
    She heard her Johny’s well-kent voice
      Beneath the castle wa’.

    XXXIII

    ‘O Baby, haste, the window jump!
      I’ll kep you in my arm;
    My merry men a’ are at the yate,
      To rescue you frae harm.’

    XXXIV

    She’s to the window fixt her sheets
      And slippèd safely down,
    And Johny catch’d her in his arms,
      Ne’er loot her touch the ground.

    XXXV

    She’s mounted on her Johny’s horse,
      Fu’ blithely can she say,--
    ‘Glenlyon, you hae lost your bride!
      She’s aff wi’ Johny Hay!’

    XXXVI

    Glenlyon and his brother John
      Were birling in the ha’,
    When they heard Johny’s bridle ring,
      As fast he rade awa’.

    XXXVII

    ‘Rise, Jock! gang out and meet the priest,
      I hear his bridle ring!
    My Baby now shall be my wife
      Before the laverocks sing.’--

    XXXVIII

    ‘O brother, this is not the priest;
      I fear he’ll come owre late;
    For armèd men with shining brands
      Stand at the castle-yate.’--

    XXXIX

    ‘Haste Donald, Duncan, Dugald, Hugh!
      Haste, take your sword and spier!
    We’ll gar these traytors rue the hour
      That e’er they ventured here.’

    XL

    The Highland men drew their claymores,
      And gae a warlike shout,
    But Johny’s merry men kept the yate,
      Nae ane durst venture out.

    XLI

    The lovers rade the live-lang night,
      And safe gat on their way,
    And bonny Baby Livingston
      Has gotten Johny Hay.

    XLII

    ‘Awa’, Glenlyon! fy for shame!
      Gae hide ye in some den!
    You’ve latten your bride be stown frae you,
      For a’ your armed men.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1273] row’d = wrapped.

[1274] lax = relief.




_148. The Gypsy Countess_


    I

    There cam’ seven Egyptians on a day,
      And wow, but they sang bonny!
    And they sang sae sweet, and sae very complete,
      Down cam’ Earl Cassilis’ lady.

    II

    She cam’ tripping down the stair,
      And a’ her maids before her;
    As soon as they saw her weel-faur’d face
      They cast the glamourie owre her.

    III

    They gave to her the nutmeg,
      And they gave to her the ginger;
    But she gave to them a far better thing,
      The seven gold rings off her fingers.

    IV

    And when the Earl he did come home,
      Enquiring for his ladie,
    One of the servants made this reply,
      ‘She’s awa’ with the gypsie laddie.’

    V

    ‘Come saddle for me the brown,’ he said,
      ‘For the black was ne’er so speedy,
    And I will travel night and day
      Till I find out my wanton ladie.’

    VI

    ‘Will you come home, my dear?’ he said,
      ‘Oh will you come home, my honey?
    And by the point of my broad sword,
      A hand I’ll ne’er lay on you.’...

    VII

    ‘Yestreen I rade this water deep,
      And my own gude lord beside me;
    But this night I maun wet my little pretty feet
      With a wheen blackguards to wade me.

    VIII

    ‘Yestreen I lay on a good feather-bed,
      And my own wedded lord beyond me,
    And to-night I’ll lie in the ash-corner,
      With the gypsies all around me.

    IX

    ‘They took off my high-heeled shoes,
      That were made of Spanish leather,
    And I have put on coarse Lowland brogues,
      To trip it o’er the heather.

    X

    ‘The Earl of Cassilis is lying sick;
      Not one hair I’m sorry;
    I’d rather have a kiss from Johnny Faa’s lips
      Than all his gold and his money.’




_149. The Baron of Brackley_


    I

    Inverey cam’ doun Deeside, whistlin’ and playin’;
    He was at brave Brackley’s yates ere it was dawin’[1275].

    II

    Says, ‘Baron of Brackley, are ye within?
    There’s sharp swords at your yate will gar your blood spin.

    III

    ‘Open the yate, Brackley, let us within,
    Till on the green turf we gar your blood spin.’

    IV

    The lady rase up, to the window she went;
    She heard the kye lowin’ o’er hill and o’er bent.

    V

    ‘O rise up, John,’ she says, ‘turn back your kye;
    They’re o’er the hills rinnin’, they’re skippin awye!’--

    VI

    ‘Come to bed, Peggie, and let the kye rin:
    For were I to gang out, I’d never get in.

    VII

    ‘For there is na gentlemen, nor yet pretty lads,
    But a curn[1276] o’ hired widdifu’s[1277], wears belted plaids.’

    VIII

    Then she cry’d on her women, they quickly came ben:
    ‘Tak’ up your rocks, lasses, and fight a’ like men!

    IX

    ‘Tho’ I’m but a woman, to head you I’ll try,
    Nor let these vile Hielandmen steal a’ our kye.’

    X

    Then up gat the Baron and cry’d for his graith[1278];
    Says, ‘Lady, I’ll gang, tho’ to leave you I’m laith.

    XI

    ‘Come kiss me, my Peggie, and get me my gun;
    For I well may gang out, but I’ll never win in.’

    XII

    When the Baron of Brackley he rade thro’ the close,
    A gallanter gentleman ne’er mounted horse.

    XIII

    Tho’ there cam’ in with Inverey thirty and three,
    There was nane wi’ bold Brackley but his brither and he.

    XIV

    Twa gallanter Gordons did never sword draw:
    But against four and thirty, wae’s me, what was twa?

    XV

    Wi’ swords and wi’ daggers they did him surround,
    And they’ve pierced the bold Brackley wi’ mony a wound.

    XVI

    Frae the head o’ the Dee to the banks o’ the Spey
    The Gordons may mourn him and ban Inverey.

    XVII

    ‘O cam’ ye in by Brackley, and was ye in there?
    Or saw ye his Peggy dear riving[1279] her hair?’--

    XVIII

    ‘O I cam’ by Brackley, and I was in there,
    But I saw-na his Peggy dear riving her hair.’--

    XIX

    ‘O fye on ye, ladye! how could ye do sae?
    You open’d your yate[1280] to the fause Inverey.’

    XX

    She ate wi’ him, drank wi’ him, welcomed him in;
    She’s welcomed the villain that slew her Baròn.

    XXI

    She kept him till morning, syne bade him be gane,
    And show’d him the road that he wouldna be ta’en.

    XXII

    ‘Thro’ Bires and Aboyne,’ she says, ‘lyin’ in a tour
    O’er the hills o’ Glentanor ye’ll skip in an hour.’

    XXIII

    There is dule in the kitchen, and mirth in the ha’,
    For the Baron of Brackley is dead and awa’.

    XXIV

    But and up spak’ the babe on his nourice’s knee--
    ‘Gin I live to be man, it’s revenged I will be.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1275] dawin’ = dawn.

[1276] curn = pack.

[1277] widdifu’s = gallows-birds, fit to fill a ‘widdie’ or halter.

[1278] graith = harness, arms.

[1279] riving = tearing.

[1280] yate = gate.




_150. The Dowie Houms of Yarrow_


    I

    Late at een, drinkin’ the wine,
      And ere they paid the lawin’[1281],
    They set a combat them between,
      To fight it in the dawin’.

    II

    ‘O stay at hame, my noble lord!
      O stay at hame, my marrow[1282]!
    My cruel brother will you betray,
      On the dowie[1283] houms[1284] o’ Yarrow.’--

    III

    ‘O fare ye weel, my lady gay!
      O fare ye weel, my Sarah!
    For I maun gae, tho’ I ne’er return
      Frae the dowie banks o’ Yarrow.’

    IV

    She kiss’d his cheek, she kamed his hair,
      As she had done before, O;
    She belted on his noble brand,
      An’ he’s awa to Yarrow.

    V

    O he’s gane up yon high, high hill--
      I wat he gaed wi’ sorrow--
    An’ in a den spied nine arm’d men,
      I’ the dowie houms o’ Yarrow.

    VI

    ‘O are ye come to drink the wine,
      As ye hae doon before, O?
    Or are ye come to wield the brand,
      On the dowie houms o’ Yarrow?’--

    VII

    ‘I am no come to drink the wine,
      As I hae done before, O,
    But I am come to wield the brand,
      On the dowie houms o’ Yarrow.’

    VIII

    Four he hurt an’ five he slew,
      On the dowie houms o’ Yarrow,
    Till that stubborn knight came him behind,
      An’ ran his body thorrow.

    IX

    ‘Gae hame, gae hame, good brother John,
      An’ tell your sister Sarah
    To come an’ lift her noble lord,
      Who’s sleepin’ sound on Yarrow.’

    X

    ‘Yestreen I dream’d a dolefu’ dream;
      I ken’d there wad be sorrow;
    I dream’d I pu’d the heather green,
      On the dowie banks o’ Yarrow.’

    XI

    She gaed up yon high, high hill--
      I wat she gaed wi’ sorrow--
    An’ in a den spied nine dead men,
      On the dowie houms o’ Yarrow.

    XII

    She kiss’d his cheek, she kamed his hair,
      As oft she did before, O;
    She drank the red blood frae him ran,
      On the dowie houms o’ Yarrow.

    XIII

    ‘O haud your tongue, my douchter dear,
      For what needs a’ this sorrow?
    I’ll wed you on a better lord
      Than him you lost on Yarrow.’--

    XIV

    ‘O haud your tongue, my father dear,
      An’ dinna grieve your Sarah;
    A better lord was never born
      Than him I lost on Yarrow.

    XV

    ‘Tak hame your ousen[1285], tak hame your kye,
      For they hae bred our sorrow;
    I wiss that they had a’ gane mad
      Whan they cam’ first to Yarrow.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1281] lawin’ = reckoning.

[1282] marrow = married mate.

[1283] dowie = doleful.

[1284] houms = water-meads.

[1285] ousen = oxen.




_151. Lord Maxwell’s Last Goodnight_


    I

    ‘Adieu, madame, my mother dear,
      But and my sisters three!
    Adieu, fair Robert of Orchardstane!
      My heart is wae for thee.

    II

    ‘Adieu, the lily and the rose,
      The primrose fair to see;
    Adieu, my ladye, and only joy!
      For I may not stay with thee.

    III

    ‘Though I hae slain the Lord Johnstone,
      What care I for their feid?
    My noble mind does still incline--
      He was my father’s deid[1286].

    IV

    ‘Both night and day I labour’d oft
      Of him avenged to be;
    But now I’ve got what lang I sought
      And I may not stay with thee.

    V

    ‘Adieu! Drumlanrig, false wert aye,
      And Closeburn in a band!
    The Laird of Lag, frae my father that fled,
      When the Johnstone struck aff his hand.

    VI

    ‘They were three brethren in a band--
      Joy may they never see!
    Their treacherous art, and cowardly heart,
      Has twined[1287] my love and me.

    VII

    ‘Adieu! Dumfries, my proper place,
      But and Carlaverock fair!
    Adieu! my castle of the Thrieve,
      Wi’ a’ my buildings there!

    VIII

    ‘Adieu! Lochmaben’s gate sae fair,
      And Langholm, where birks there be;
    Adieu! my ladye, and only joy,
      For I may not stay wi’ thee.

    IX

    ‘Adieu! Fair Eskdale up and down,
      Where my puir friends do dwell;
    The bangisters[1288] will ding them down,
      And will them sair compell.

    X

    ‘But I’ll avenge their feid mysell,
      When I come o’er the sea;
    Adieu! my ladye, and only joy
      For I may not stay wi’ thee.’--

    XI

    ‘Lord of the land, will you go then
      Unto my father’s place,
    And walk into their gardens green,
      And I will you embrace.

    XII

    ‘There Hamiltons, and Douglas baith,
      Shall rise to succour thee.’--
    ‘Thanks for thy kindness, fair my dame,
      But I may not stay wi’ thee.’--

    XIII

    Then he tuik aff a gay gold ring,
      Thereat hang signets three;
    ‘Hae, tak thee that, mine ain kind thing,
      And still hae mind o’ me!

    XIV

    ‘But if thou take another lord,
      Ere I come ower the sea,
    His life is but a three days’ lease,
      Though I may not stay wi’ thee.’

    XV

    The wind was fair, the ship was clear,
      That good lord went away;
    And most part of his friends were there,
      To give him a fair convey.

    XVI

    They drank the wine, they didna spare
      Even in that gude lord’s sight--
    Sae now he’s o’er the floods sae gray,
      And Lord Maxwell has ta’en his Goodnight.

FOOTNOTES:

[1286] my father’s deid = the death of my father.

[1287] twined = parted.

[1288] bangisters = lawless folk.




_152. Helen of Kirconnell_


    I

    I wish I were where Helen lies,
    Night and day on me she cries;
    O that I were where Helen lies,
      On fair Kirconnell lea!

    II

    Curst be the heart that thought the thought,
    And curst the hand that fired the shot,
    When in my arms burd Helen dropt,
      And died to succour me!

    III

    O think na ye my heart was sair,
    When my Love dropp’d and spak nae mair!
    There did she swoon wi’ meikle care,
      On fair Kirconnell lea.

    IV

    As I went down the water side,
    None but my foe to be my guide,
    None but my foe to be my guide,
      On fair Kirconnell lea;

    V

    I lighted down my sword to draw,
    I hackèd him in pieces sma’,
    I hackèd him in pieces sma’,
      For her sake that died for me.

    VI

    O Helen fair, beyond compare!
    I’ll mak a garland o’ thy hair,
    Shall bind my heart for evermair,
      Until the day I dee!

    VII

    O that I were where Helen lies!
    Night and day on me she cries;
    Out of my bed she bids me rise,
      Says, ‘Haste, and come to me!’

    VIII

    O Helen fair! O Helen chaste!
    If I were with thee, I’d be blest,
    Where thou lies low and taks thy rest,
      On fair Kirconnell lea.

    IX

    I wish my grave were growing green,
    A winding-sheet drawn owre my een,
    And I in Helen’s arms lying,
      On fair Kirconnell lea.

    X

    I wish I were where Helen lies!
    Night and day on me she cries;
    And I am weary of the skies,
      For her sake that died for me.




_153. The Lament of the Border Widow_


    I

    My love he built me a bonny bower,
    And clad it a’ wi’ lilye flour;
    A brawer bower ye ne’er did see,
    Than my true love he built for me.

    II

    There came a man, by middle day,
    He spied his sport, and went away;
    And brought the King that very night,
    Who brake my bower, and slew my knight.

    III

    He slew my knight, to me sae dear;
    He slew my knight, and poin’d[1289] his gear;
    My servants all for life did flee,
    And left me in extremitie.

    IV

    I sew’d his sheet, making my mane;
    I watch’d the corpse, myself alane;
    I watch’d his body, night and day;
    No living creature came that way.

    V

    I took his body on my back,
    And whiles I gaed, and whiles I sat;
    I digg’d a grave, and laid him in,
    And happ’d him with the sod sae green.

    VI

    But think na ye my heart was sair,
    When I laid the moul’ on his yellow hair;
    O think na ye my heart was wae,
    When I turn’d about, away to gae?

    VII

    Nae living man I’ll love again,
    Since that my lovely knight is slain;
    Wi’ ae lock of his yellow hair
    I’ll chain my heart for evermair.

FOOTNOTES:

[1289] poin’d = made forfeit.




BOOK VII




_154. Lady Alice_


    I

    Lady Alice was sitting in her bower-window,
      Mending her midnight quoif,
    And there she saw as fine a corpse
      As ever she saw in her life.

    II

    ‘What bear ye, what bear ye, ye six men tall?
      What bear ye on your shouldèrs?’--
    ‘We bear the corpse of Giles Collins,
      An old and true lover of yours.’--

    III

    ‘O lay him down gently, ye six men tall,
      All on the grass so green,
    And to-morrow, when the sun goes down,
      Lady Alice a corpse shall be seen.

    IV

    ‘And bury me in Saint Mary’s church,
      All for my love so true,
    And make me a garland of marjoram,
      And of lemon-thyme, and rue.’

    V

    Giles Collins was buried all in the east,
      Lady Alice all in the west,
    And the roses that grew on Giles Collins’s grave,
      They reached Lady Alice’s breast.

    VI

    The priest of the parish he chanced to pass,
      And he sever’d those roses in twain;
    Sure never were seen such true lovers before,
      Nor e’er will there be again.




_155. Lord Lovel_


    I

    Lord Lovel he stood at his castle-gate,
      Combing his milk-white steed,
    When up came Lady Nancy Belle,
      To wish her lover good speed.

    II

    ‘Where are you going, Lord Lovel?’ she said,
      ‘Oh where are you going?’ said she.
    ‘I’m going, my Lady Nancy Belle,
      Strange countries for to see.’

    III

    ‘When will you be back, Lord Lovel?’ she said,
      ‘Oh when will you come back?’ said she.
    ‘In a year, or two, or three at the most,
      I’ll return to my fair Nancỳ.’

    IV

    But he had not been gone a year and a day,
      Strange countries for to see,
    When languishing thoughts came into his head,
      Lady Nancy Belle he would go see.

    V

    So he rode, and he rode, on his milk-white steed,
      Till he came to London town,
    And there he heard St. Pancras’ bells,
      And the people all mourning round.

    VI

    ‘Oh what is the matter?’ Lord Lovel he said,
      ‘Oh what is the matter?’ said he;
    ‘A lord’s lady is dead,’ a woman replied,
      ‘And some call her Lady Nancỳ.’

    VII

    So he order’d the grave to be open’d wide.
      And the shroud he turnèd down,
    And there he kiss’d her clay-cold lips,
      Till the tears came trickling down.

    VIII

    Lady Nancy she died, as it might be, today,
      Lord Lovel he died as tomorrow;
    Lady Nancy she died out of pure, pure grief,
      Lord Lovel he died out of sorrow.

    IX

    Lady Nancy was laid in St. Pancras’ Church,
      Lord Lovel was laid in the choir;
    And out of her bosom there grew a red rose,
      And out of her lover’s a briar.

    X

    They grew, and they grew, to the church-steeple top,
      And then they could grow no higher;
    So there they entwined in a true-lovers’ knot,
      For all lovers true to admire.




_156. The Trees So High_


    I

    All the trees they are so high,
      The leaves they are so green,
    The day is past and gone, sweet-heart,
      That you and I have seen.
        It is cold winter’s night,
        You and I must bide alone:
          Whilst my pretty lad is young
                        And is growing.

    II

    In a garden as I walked,
      I heard them laugh and call;
    There were four and twenty playing there,
      They played with bat and ball.
        O the rain on the roof,
        Here and I must make my moan:
          Whilst my pretty lad is young
                        And is growing.

    III

    I listen’d in the garden,
      I lookèd o’er the wall;
    ‘Midst five and twenty gallants there
      My love exceeded all.
        O the wind on the thatch,
        Here and I alone must weep:
          Whilst my pretty lad is young
                        And is growing.

    IV

    O father, father dear,
      Great wrong to me is done.
    That I should married be this day,
      Before the set of sun.
        At the huffle of the gale,
        Here I toss and cannot sleep:
          Whilst my pretty lad is young
                        And is growing.

    V

    My daughter, daughter dear,
      If better be, more fit,
    I’ll send him to the court awhile,
      To point his pretty wit.
        But the snow, snowflakes fall,
        O and I am chill as dead:
          Whilst my pretty lad is young
                        And is growing.

    VI

    To let the lovely ladies know
      They may not touch and taste,
    I’ll bind a bunch of ribbons red
      About his little waist.
        But the raven hoarsely croaks,
        And I shiver in my bed;
          Whilst my pretty lad is young
                        And is growing.

    VII

    I married was, alas,
      A lady high to be,
    In court and stall and stately hall,
      And bower of tapestry.
        But the bell did only knell,
        And I shuddered as one cold:
          When I wed the pretty lad
                        Not done growing.

    VIII

    At fourteen he wedded was,
      A father at fifteen,
    At sixteen ’s face was white as milk,
      And then his grave was green;
        And the daisies were outspread,
        And buttercups of gold,
          O’er my pretty lad so young
                        Now ceased growing.




_157. The Brown Girl_


    I

    ‘I am as brown as brown can be,
      My eyes as black as a sloe;
    I am as brisk as a nightingale,
      And as wild as any doe.

    II

    ‘My love has sent me a love-letter,
      Not far from yonder town,
    That he could not fancy me,
      Because I was so brown.

    III

    ‘I sent him his letter back again,
      For his love I valu’d not,
    Whether that he could fancy me
      Or whether he could not.

    IV

    ‘He sent me his letter back again,
      That he lay sick to death,
    That I might then go speedily
      To give him up his faith.’

    V

    Now you shall hear what love she had
      Then for this love-sick man;
    She was a whole long summer’s day
      In a mile a going on.

    VI

    When she came to her love’s bed-side,
      Where he lay dangerous sick,
    She could not for laughing stand
      Upright upon her feet.

    VII

    She had a white wand all in her hand,
      And smooth’d it all on his breast;
    ‘In faith and troth come pardon me,
      I hope your soul’s at rest.’--

    VIII

    ‘Prithee,’ said he, ‘forget, forget,
      Prithee forget, forgive;
    O grant me yet a little space,
      That I may be well and live.’--

    IX

    ‘O never will I forget, forgive,
      So long as I have breath;
    I’ll dance above your green, green grave
      Where you do lie beneath.

    X

    ‘I’ll do as much for my true-love
      As other maidens may;
    I’ll dance and sing on my love’s grave
      A whole twelvemonth and a day.’




_158. Barbara Allan’s Cruelty_


    I

    In Scarlet town, where I was born,
      There was a fair maid dwellin’,
    Made every youth cry _Well-a-way!_
      Her name was Barbara Allen.

    II

    All in the merry month of May,
      When green buds they were swellin’,
    Young Jemmy Grove on his death-bed lay,
      For love of Barbara Allen.

    III

    He sent his man in to her then,
      To the town where she was dwellin’
    ‘O haste and come to my master dear,
      If your name be Barbara Allen.’

    IV

    So slowly, slowly rase she up,
      And slowly she came nigh him,
    And when she drew the curtain by--
      ‘Young man, I think you’re dyin’.’

    V

    ‘O it’s I am sick and very very sick,
      And it’s all for Barbara Allen.’--
    ‘O the better for me ye’se never be,
      Tho’ your heart’s blood were a-spillin’!

    VI

    ‘O dinna ye mind, young man,’ says she,
      ‘When the red wine ye were fillin’,
    That ye made the healths go round and round,
      And slighted Barbara Allen?’

    VII

    He turn’d his face unto the wall,
      And death was with him dealin’:
    ‘Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,
      And be kind to Barbara Allen!’

    VIII

    As she was walking o’er the fields,
      She heard the dead-bell knellin’;
    And every jow[1290] the dead-bell gave
      Cried ‘Woe to Barbara Allen.’

    IX

    ‘O mother, mother, make my bed,
      O make it saft and narrow:
    My love has died for me to-day,
      I’ll die for him to-morrow.

    X

    ‘Farewell,’ she said, ‘ye virgins all,
      And shun the fault I fell in:
    Henceforth take warning by the fall
      Of cruel Barbara Allen.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1290] jow = beat, toll.




_159. The Gardener_


    I

    The gardener stands in his bower-door,
      With a primrose in his hand,
    And by there came a leal[1291] maiden
      As jimp[1292] as a willow wand.

    II

    ‘O lady, can you fancy me,
      For to be my bride?
    Ye’se get a’ the flowers in my garden
      To be to you a weed[1293].

    III

    ‘The lily white sall be your smock
      Becomes your body best;
    Your head sall be busk’d wi’ gillyflower
      And the primrose in your breast.

    IV

    ‘Your gown sall be the sweet-william,
      Your coat the camovine[1294],
    Your apron a’ the salluds neat
      That taste baith sweet and fine.

    V

    ‘Your stockings sall be o’ the braid kail-blade,
      That is baith braid and lang;
    And narrow, narrow at the cute[1295],
      And braid, braid at the brawn[1296].

    VI

    ‘Your gloves sall be the marigold,
      All glittering to your hand,
    Well spread o’er wi’ the blue blaewort[1297]
      That grows amang corn-land.’--

    VII

    ‘O fare ye well, young man,’ she says,
      ‘Farewell, and I bid adieu;
    If you can fancy me,’ she says,
      ‘O I cannot fancy you.

    VIII

    ‘Sin ye’ve provided a weed for me
      Amang the summer flowers,
    Then I’se provide anither for you
      Amang the winter showers.--

    IX

    ‘The new-fa’n snaw to be your smock
      Becomes your body best;
    An’ your head sall be wound wi’ the eastern wind,
      An’ the cauld rain on your breast.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1291] leal = true.

[1292] jimp = slender.

[1293] weed = clothing.

[1294] camovine = camomile.

[1295] cute = ankle.

[1296] brawn = calf.

[1297] blaewort = corn bluebottle.




_160. The Lowlands o’ Holland_


    I

    ‘My love has built a bonny ship, and set her on the sea,
    With seven score good mariners to bear her companỳ;
    There’s three score is sunk, and three score dead at sea,
    And the Lowlands o’ Holland has twin’d[1298] my love and me.

    II

    ‘My love he built another ship, and set her on the main,
    And nane but twenty mariners for to bring her hame;
    But the weary wind began to rise, and the sea began to rout,
    My love then and his bonny ship turn’d withershins[1299] about.

    III

    ‘Then shall neither coif come on my head nor comb come in my hair;
    Then shall neither coal nor candle-light shine in my bower mair;
    Nor will I love another one until the day I die,
    Sin’ the Lowlands o’ Holland has twin’d my love and me.’--

    IV

    ‘O haud your tongue, my daughter dear, be still and be content;
    There are mair lads in Galloway, ye neen nae sair lament.’--
    ‘O there is none in Gallow, there’s none at a’ for me,
    For I never loved a love but one, and he’s drown’d in the sea.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1298] twin’d = parted.

[1299] withershins = around against the sun.




_161. The Spanish Lady’s Love_


    I

      Will you hear a Spanish lady
        How she woo’d an English man?
      Garments gay and rich as may be,
        Decked with jewels, she had on;
    Of a comely countenance and grace was she,
    And by birth and parentage of high degree.

    II

      As his prisoner there he kept her,
        In his hands her life did lie;
      Cupid’s bands did tie her faster,
        By the liking of an eye;
    In his courteous company was all her joy,
    To favour him in any thing she was not coy.

    III

      At the last there came commandment
        For to set the ladies free,
      With their jewels still adornèd,
        None to do them injury:
    ‘Alas!’ then said this lady gay, ‘full woe is me;
    O let me still sustain this kind captivity!

    IV

      ‘Gallant captain, show some pity
        To a lady in distress;
      Leave me not within this city,
        For to die in heaviness;
    Thou hast set this present day my body free,
    But my heart in prison strong remains with thee.’--

    V

      ‘How should’st thou, fair lady, love me,
        Whom thou know’st thy country’s foe?
      Thy fair words make me suspect thee;
        Serpents lie where flowers grow.’--
    ‘All the harm I think to thee, most gracious knight,
    God grant unto myself the same may fully light:

    VI

      ‘Blessèd be the time and season
        That you came on Spanish ground;
      If our foes you may be termèd,
        Gentle foes we have you found.
    With our city you have won our hearts each one;
    Then to your country bear away that is your own.’--

    VII

      ‘Rest you still, most gallant lady,
        Rest you still, and weep no more;
      Of fair lovers there are plenty;
        Spain doth yield a wondrous store.’--
    ‘Spaniards fraught with jealousy we often find,
    But Englishmen through all the world are counted kind.

    VIII

      ‘Leave me not unto a Spaniard;
        You alone enjoy my heart;
      I am lovely, young, and tender,
        And so love is my desart.
    Still to serve thee day and night my mind is press’d;
    The wife of every Englishman is counted blest.’--

    IX

      ‘It would be a shame, fair lady,
        For to bear a woman hence;
      English soldiers never carry
        Any such without offence.’--
    ‘I will quickly change myself if it be so,
    And like a page I’ll follow thee where’er thou go.’--

    X

      ‘I have neither gold nor silver
        To maintain thee in this case,
      And to travel, ’tis great charges,
        As you know, in every place.’--
    ‘My chains and jewels every one shall be thine own,
    And eke five hundred pounds in gold that lies unknown.’--

    XI

      ‘On the seas are many dangers;
        Many storms do there arise,
      Which will be to ladies dreadful,
        And force tears from watery eyes.’--
    ‘Well in truth I shall endure extremity,
    For I could find in heart to lose my life for thee.’--

    XII

      ‘Courteous lady, leave this fancy;
        Here comes all that bleeds the strife;
      I in England have already
        A sweet woman to my wife:
    I will not falsify my vow for gold or gain,
    Nor yet for all the fairest dames that live in Spain.’--

    XIII

      ‘Oh how happy is that woman,
        That enjoys so true a friend!
      Many happy days God send you!
        Of my suit I’ll make an end:
    On my knees I pardon crave for this offence,
    Which did from love and true affection first commence.

    XIV

      ‘Commend me to thy loving lady:
        Bear to her this chain of gold,
      And these bracelets for a token;
        Grieving that I was so bold.
    All my jewels in like sort bear thou with thee,
    For they are fitting for thy wife, but not for me.

    XV

      ‘I will spend my days in prayer,
        Love and all his laws defy,
      In a nunnery will I shroud me,
        Far from any company:
    But ere my prayers have end, be sure of this,
    To pray for thee and for thy love I will not miss.

    XVI

      ‘Thus farewell, most gentle captain,
        Farewell too my heart’s content!
      Count not Spanish ladies wayward,
        Though to thee my love was bent:
    Joy and true prosperity go still with thee!’--
    ‘The like fall ever to thy share, most fair ladỳ!’




_162. The Bailiff’s Daughter of Islington_


    I

    There was a youth, and a well-belovèd youth,
      And he was an esquire’s son,
    He loved the bailiff’s daughter dear,
      That lived in Islington.

    II

    But she was coy, and she would not believe
      That he did love her so,
    No, nor at any time she would
      Any countenance to him show.

    III

    But when his friends did understand
      His fond and foolish mind,
    They sent him up to fair London,
      An apprentice for to bind.

    IV

    And when he had been seven long years,
      And his love he had not seen;
    ‘Many a tear have I shed for her sake
      When she little thought of me.’

    V

    All the maids of Islington
      Went forth to sport and play;
    All but the bailiff’s daughter dear;
      She secretly stole away.

    VI

    She put off her gown of gray,
      And put on her puggish[1300] attire;
    She’s up to fair London gone,
      Her true-love to require.

    VII

    As she went along the road,
      The weather being hot and dry,
    There was she aware of her true-love,
      At length came riding by.

    VIII

    She stept to him, as red as any rose,
      And took him by the bridle-ring:
    ‘I pray you, kind sir, give me one pennỳ,
      To ease my weary limb.’--

    IX

    ‘I prithee, sweetheart, canst thou tell me
      Where that thou wast born?’--
    ‘At Islington, kind sir,’ said she,
      ‘Where I have had many a scorn.’--

    X

    ‘I prithee, sweetheart, canst thou tell me
      Whether thou dost know
    The bailiff’s daughter of Islington?’--
      ‘She’s dead, sir, long ago.’--

    XI

    ‘Then will I sell my goodly steed,
      My saddle and my bow;
    I will into some far countrey,
      Where no man doth me know.’--

    XII

    ‘Oh stay, O stay, thou goodly youth!
      She’s alive, she is not dead;
    Here she standeth by thy side,
      And is ready to be thy bride.’--

    XIII

    ‘O farewell grief, and welcome joy,
      Ten thousand times and o’er!
    For now I have seen my own true-love,
      That I thought I should have seen no more.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1300] puggish = tramp’s.




_163. The Blind Beggar’s Daughter of Bednall-Green_


    I

    It was a blind beggar, had long lost his sight,
    He had a fair daughter of beauty most bright;
    And many a gallant brave suitor had she,
    For none was so comely as pretty Bessee.

    II

    And though she was of favour most faire,
    Yet seeing she was but a poor beggar’s heyre.
    Of ancyent housekeepers despisèd was she,
    Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee.

    III

    Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessy did say,
    ‘Good father, and mother, let me go away
    To seek out my fortune, whatever it be.’
    This suit then they granted to pretty Bessee.

    IV

    Then Bessy, that was of beauty so bright,
    All clad in grey russet, and late in the night,
    From father and mother alone parted she;
    Who sighèd and sobbèd for pretty Bessee.

    V

    She went till she came to Stratford-le-Bow;
    Then knew she not whither, nor which way to go:
    With tears she lamented her hard destinìe,
    So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee.

    VI

    She kept on her journey until it was day,
    She went unto Rumford along the high way;
    Where at the Queen’s Arms entertainèd was she:
    So fair and well favoured was pretty Bessee.

    VII

    She had not been there a month to an end,
    But master and mistress and all was her friend:
    And every brave gallant, that once did her see,
    Was straightway enamour’d of pretty Bessee.

    VIII

    Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold,
    And in their songs daily her love was extoll’d;
    Her beauty was blazèd in every degree;
    So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.

    IX

    The young men of Rumford in her had their joy;
    She showed herself courteous, and modestly coy;
    And at her commandèment still would they be;
    So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.

    X

    Four suitors at once unto her did go;
    They cravèd her favour, but still she said ‘no;
    I would not wish gentles to marry with me.’--
    Yet ever they honoured pretty Bessee.

    XI

    The first of them was a gallant young knight,
    And he came unto her disguised in the night:
    The second a gentleman of good degree,
    Who wooèd and suèd for pretty Bessee.

    XII

    A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small,
    He was the third suitor, and proper withal:
    Her master’s own son the fourth man must be,
    Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee.

    XIII

    ‘And, if thou wilt marry with me,’ quoth the knight,
    ‘I’ll make thee a lady with joy and delight;
    My heart so enthrallèd is by thy beautìe,
    That soon I shall die for pretty Bessee.’

    XIV

    The gentleman said, ‘Come, marry with me,
    As fine as a lady my Bessy shall be:
    My life is distressèd: O hear me,’ quoth he;
    ‘And grant me thy love, my pretty Bessee.’--

    XV

    ‘Let me be thy husband,’ the merchant did say,
    ‘Thou shalt live in London both gallant and gay;
    My ships shall bring home rich jewels for thee,
    And I will for ever love pretty Bessee.’

    XVI

    Then Bessy she sighed, and thus she did say,
    ‘My father and mother I mean to obey;
    First get their good will, and be faithful to me,
    And then you shall marry your pretty Bessee.’

    XVII

    To every one this answer she made,
    Wherefore unto her they joyfully said,
    ‘This thing to fulfil we all do agree;
    But where dwells thy father, my pretty Bessee?’

    XVIII

    ‘My father,’ she said, ‘is soon to be seen:
    The silly blind beggar of Bednall-green,
    That daily sits begging for charitìe,
    He is the good father of pretty Bessee.

    XIX

    ‘His marks and his tokens are known very well;
    He always is led with a dog and a bell:
    A silly old man, God knoweth, is he,
    Yet he is the father of pretty Bessee.’

    XX

    ‘Nay then,’ quoth the merchant, ‘thou art not for me!’
    ‘Nor,’ quoth the innholder, ‘my wife thou shalt be.’
    ‘I lothe,’ said the gentle, ‘a beggar’s degree,
    And therefore adieu, my pretty Bessee!’

    XXI

    ‘Why then,’ quoth the knight, ‘hap better or worse,
    I weigh not true love by the weight of the purse,
    And beauty is beauty in every degree;
    Then welcome unto me, my pretty Bessee.

    XXII

    ‘With thee to thy father forthwith I will go.’--
    ‘Nay soft,’ quoth his kinsmen, ‘it must not be so;
    A poor beggar’s daughter no lady shall be,
    Then take thy adieu of pretty Bessee.’

    XXIII

    But soon after this, by break of the day
    The Knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
    The young men of Rumford, as thick as might be,
    Rode after to fetch again pretty Bessee.

    XXIV

    As swift as the wind to ryde they were seen,
    Until they came near unto Bednall-green;
    And as the Knight lighted most courteouslìe,
    They all fought against him for pretty Bessee.

    XXV

    But rescue came speedily over the plain,
    Or else the young Knight for his love had been slain.
    This fray being ended, then straightway he see
    His kinsmen come railing at pretty Bessee.

    XXVI

    Then spake the blind beggar, ‘Although I be poor,
    Yet rail not against my child at my own door:
    Though she be not deckèd in velvet and pearl,
    Yet will I drop angels with you for my girl.

    XXVII

    ‘And then, if my gold may better her birth,
    And equal the gold that you lay on the earth,
    Then neither rail nor grudge you to see
    The blind beggar’s daughter a lady to be.

    XXVIII

    ‘But first you shall promise, and have it well known,
    The gold that you dropt shall all be your own.’
    With that they replied, ‘Contented be we.’
    ‘Then here’s,’ quoth the beggar, ‘for pretty Bessee!’

    XXIX

    With that an angel he cast on the ground,
    And dropped in angels full three thousand pound;
    And oftentimes it was provèd most plain,
    For the gentlemen’s one the beggar dropt twain:

    XXX

    So that the place, wherein they did sit,
    With gold it was coverèd every whit.
    The gentlemen then, having dropt all their store,
    Said, ‘Now, beggar, hold, for we have no more,

    XXXI

    ‘Thou hast fulfilled thy promise aright.’--
    ‘Then marry,’ quoth he, ‘my girl to this Knight;
    And here,’ added he, ‘I will now throw you down
    A hundred pounds more to buy her a gown.’

    XXXII

    The gentlemen all, that this treasure had seen,
    Admirèd the beggar of Bednall-green:
    And all those, that were her suitors before,
    Their flesh for very anger they tore.

    XXXIII

    Thus was fair Bessy match’d to the Knight,
    And then made a lady in others’ despite:
    A fairer lady there never was seen
    Than the blind beggar’s daughter of Bednall-green.

    XXXIV

    But of their sumptuous marriage and feast,
    What brave lords and knights thither were prest,
    The second fitt shall set forth to your sight
    With marvellous pleasure and wished delight.


    PART II

    XXXV

    Of a blind beggar’s daughter most bright,
    That late was betrothed unto a young Knight;
    All the discourse thereof you did see:
    But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

    XXXVI

    Within a gorgeous palace most brave,
    Adornèd with all the cost they could have,
    This wedding was kept most sumptuouslìe,
    And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

    XXXVII

    All kind of dainties and delicates sweet
    Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet;
    Partridge, and plover, and venison most free,
    Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

    XXXVIII

    This marriage through England was spread by report,
    So that a great number thereto did resort
    Of nobles and gentles in every degree;
    And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

    XXXIX

    To church then went this gallant young Knight;
    His bride followed after, an angel most bright,
    With troops of ladies--the like ne’er was seen
    As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

    XL

    This marriage being solemnized then,
    With musick performed by the skilfullest men,
    The nobles and gentles sat down at that tide,
    Each one admiring the beautiful bride.

    XLI

    Now, after the sumptuous dinner was done,
    To talk and to reason a number begun:
    They talk’d of the blind beggar’s daughter most bright,
    And what with his daughter he gave to the Knight.

    XLII

    Then spake the nobles, ‘Much marvel have we,
    This jolly blind beggar we cannot here see.’
    ‘My lords,’ quoth the bride, ‘my father’s so base,
    He is loth with his presence these states to disgrace.’--

    XLIII

    ‘The praise of a woman in question to bring,
    Before her own face, were a flattering thing,
    But we think thy father’s baseness,’ quoth they,
    ‘Might by thy beauty be clean put away.’

    XLIV

    They had no sooner these pleasant words spoke,
    But in comes the beggar clad in a silk cloak;
    A fair velvet cap, and a feather had he,
    And now a musician forsooth he would be.

    XLV

    He had a dainty lute under his arm,
    He touchèd the strings, which made such a charm,
    Says, ‘Please you to hear any musick of me,
    I’ll sing you a song of pretty Bessee.’

    XLVI

    With that his lute he twangèd straightway,
    And thereon began most sweetly to play;
    And after that lessons were played two or three,
    He strain’d out this song most delicatelìe.

    XLVII

    ‘A poor beggar’s daughter did dwell on a green,
    Who for her fairness might well be a queen:
    A blithe bonny lass, and a dainty was she,
    And many one callèd her pretty Bessee.

    XLVIII

    ‘Her father he had no goods, nor no land,
    But begg’d for a penny all day with his hand;
    And yet to her marriage he gave thousands three,
    And still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessee.

    XLIX

    ‘And if any one here her birth do disdain,
    Her father is ready, with might and with main,
    To prove she is come of noble degree:
    Therefore never flout at pretty Bessee.’

    L

    With that the lords and the company round
    With hearty laughter were ready to swound;
    At last said the lords, ‘Full well we may see,
    The bride and the beggar’s beholden to thee.’

    LI

    On this the bride all blushing did rise,
    The pearly drops standing within her fair eyes,
    ‘O pardon my father, grave nobles,’ quoth she,
    ‘That through blind affection thus doteth on me.’

    LII

    ‘If this be thy father,’ the nobles did say,
    ‘Well may he be proud of this happy day;
    Yet by his countenance well may we see,
    His birth and his fortune did never agree:

    LIII

    ‘And therefore, blind man, we pray thee bewray
    (And look that the truth thou to us do say)
    Thy birth and thy parentage, what it may be;
    For the love that thou bearest to pretty Bessee.’--

    LIV

    ‘Then give me leave, nobles and gentles, each one,
    One song more to sing, and then I have done;
    And if that it may not win good report,
    Then do not give me a groat for my sport.

    LV

    ‘Sir Simon de Montfort my subject shall be;
    Once chief of all the great barons was he,
    Yet fortune so cruel this lord did abase,
    Now lost and forgotten are he and his race.

    LVI

    ‘When the barons in arms did King Henry oppose,
    Sir Simon de Montfort their leader they chose;
    A leader of courage undaunted was he,
    And ofttimes he made their enemies flee.

    LVII

    ‘At length in the battle on Evesham plain,
    The barons were routed, and Montfort was slain;
    Most fatal that battle did prove unto thee,
    Though thou wast not born then, my pretty Bessee!

    LVIII

    ‘Along with the nobles, that fell at that tide,
    His eldest son Henry, who fought by his side,
    Was fell’d by a blow he received in the fight;
    A blow that deprived him for ever of sight.

    LIX

    ‘Among the dead bodies all lifeless he lay,
    Till evening drew on of the following day;
    When by a young lady discovered was he;
    And this was thy mother, my pretty Bessee!

    LX

    ‘A baron’s fair daughter stept forth in the night
    To search for her father, who fell in the fight,
    And seeing young Montfort, where gasping he lay,
    Was movèd with pity, and brought him away.

    LXI

    ‘In secret she nurst him, and swagèd his pain,
    While he through the realm was believed to be slain:
    At length his fair bride she consented to be,
    And made him glad father of pretty Bessee.

    LXII

    ‘And now, lest our foes our lives should betray,
    We clothèd ourselves in beggars’ array;
    Her jewels she sold, and hither came we:
    All our comfort and care was our pretty Bessee.

    LXIII

    ‘And here have we livèd in fortune’s despite,
    Though poor, yet contented with humble delight:
    Full forty winters thus have I been
    A silly blind beggar of Bednall-green.

    LXIV

    ‘And here, noble lords, is ended the song
    Of one that once to your own rank did belong:
    And thus have you learnèd a secret from me,
    That ne’er had been known, but for pretty Bessee.’

    LXV

    Now when the fair company every one,
    Had heard the strange tale in the song he had shown,
    They all were amazèd, as well they might be,
    Both at the blind beggar, and pretty Bessee.

    LXVI

    With that the fair bride they all did embrace,
    Saying, ‘Sure thou art come of an hon’rable race;
    Thy father likewise is of noble degree,
    And thou art well worthy a lady to be.’

    LXVII

    Thus was the feast ended with joy and delight,
    A bridegroom most happy then was the young Knight,
    In joy and felicitie long livèd he,
    All with his fair lady, the pretty Bessee.




_164. The Loving Ballad of Lord Bateman_

_A Broadside Version of_ ‘Young Beichan’


    I

    Lord Bateman was a noble lord,
      A noble lord of high degree;
    He shipp’d himself all aboard of a ship,
      Some foreign country for to see.

    II

    He sailèd east, he sailèd west,
      Until he came to famed Turkey,
    Where he was taken and put to prison,
      Until his life was quite weary.

    III

    All in this prison there grew a tree,
      O there it grew so stout and strong!
    Where he was chain’d all by the middle,
      Until his life was almost gone.

    IV

    This Turk he had one only daughter,
      The fairest my two eyes e’er see;
    She stole the keys of her father’s prison,
      And swore Lord Bateman she would let go free.

    V

    O she took him to her father’s cellar,
      And gave to him the best of wine;
    And every health she drank unto him
      Was, ‘I wish, Lord Bateman, as you was mine.’

    VI

    ‘O have you got houses, have you got land,
      And does Northumberland belong to thee?
    And what would you give to the fair young lady
      As out of prison would let you go free?’--

    VII

    ‘O I’ve got houses and I’ve got land,
      And half Northumberland belongs to me;
    And I will give it all to the fair young lady
      As out of prison would let me go free.’--

    VIII

    ‘O in seven long years, I’ll make a vow
      For seven long years, and keep it strong,
    That if you’ll wed no other woman,
      O I will wed no other man.’

    IX

    O she took him to her father’s harbour,
      And gave to him a ship of fame,
    Saying, ‘Farewell, farewell to you, Lord Bateman,
      I fear I never shall see you again!’

    X

    Now seven long years is gone and past,
      And fourteen days, well known to me;
    She packèd up all her gay clothing,
      And swore Lord Bateman she would go see.

    XI

    O when she arrived at Lord Bateman’s castle,
      How boldly then she rang the bell!
    ‘Who’s there? who’s there?’ cries the proud young porter,
      ‘O come unto me pray quickly tell.’--

    XII

    ‘O is this here Lord Bateman’s castle,
      And is his lordship here within?’--
    ‘O yes, O yes,’ cries the proud young porter
      ‘He’s just now taking his young bride in.’--

    XIII

    ‘O bid him to send me a slice of bread
      And a bottle of the very best wine,
    And not forgetting the fair young lady
      As did release him when close confine.’

    XIV

    O away and away went this proud young porter,
      O away and away and away went he,
    Until he come to Lord Bateman’s chamber,
      When he went down on his bended knee.

    XV

    ‘What news, what news, my proud young porter?
      What news, what news? Come tell to me.’--
    ‘O there is the fairest young lady
      As ever my two eyes did see.

    XVI

    ‘She has got rings on every finger,
      And on one finger she has got three;
    With as much gay gold about her middle
      As would buy half Northumberlee.

    XVII

    ‘O she bids you to send her a slice of bread,
      And a bottle of the very best wine,
    And not forgetting the fair young lady
      As did release you when close confine.’

    XVIII

    Lord Bateman then in passion flew,
      And broke his sword in splinters three,
    Saying, ‘I will give half of my father’s land,
      If so be as Sophia has crossed the sea.’

    XIX

    Then up and spoke this young bride’s mother,
      Who never was heard to speak so free;
    Saying, ‘You’ll not forget my only daughter,
      If so be as Sophia has crossed the sea.’--

    XX

    ‘O it’s true I made a bride of your daughter,
      But she’s neither the better nor the worse for me;
    She came to me with a horse and saddle,
      But she may go home in a coach and three.’

    XXI

    Lord Bateman then prepared another marriage,
      With both their hearts so full of glee,
    Saying, ‘I’ll roam no more to foreign countries,
      Now that Sophia has crossed the sea.’




_165. Mary Ambree_


    I

    When captains couragious, whom death could not daunte,
    Did march to the siege of the citty of Gaunt[1301],
    They muster’d their souldiers by two and by three,
    And the foremost in battle was Mary Ambree.

    II

    When brave Sir John Major was slaine in her sight,
    Who was her true lover, her joy, and delight,
    Because he was slaine most treacherouslie,
    She vow’d to revenge him, did Mary Ambree.

    III

    She clothèd herselfe from the top to the toe
    In buffe of the bravest, most seemelye to showe;
    A faire shirt of mail then slippèd on she;
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    IV

    A helmet of proofe she strait did provide,
    A strong arminge sword she girt by her side,
    And on each hand a goodly faire gauntlett put shee;
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    V

    Then tooke she her sworde and her target in hand,
    Bidding all such as wo’ld to be sworn of her band;
    To wayte on her person came thousand and three:
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    VI

    ‘My soldiers,’ she saith, ‘soe valiant and bold,
    Nowe follow your captaine, whom you doe beholde;
    Still foremost in battel myself will I be’:
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    VII

    Then cry’d out her souldiers, and loude they did say,
    ‘Soe well thou becomest this gallant array,
    Thy harte and thy weapons soe well do agree,
    There was none that was ever like Mary Ambree.’

    VIII

    She chearèd her souldiers, that foughten for life,
    With ancyent[1302] and standard, with drum and with fyfe,
    With brave clanging trumpetts, that sounded so free;
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    IX

    ‘Before I will see the worst of you all
    To come into danger of death or of thrall,
    This hand and this life I will venture so free’:
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    X

    She led up her souldiers in battaile array
    Gainst three times theyr number by break of the daye;
    Seven howers in skirmish continuèd shee:
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    XI

    She fillèd the skyes with the smoke of her shott,
    And her enemyes bodyes with bullets soe hott;
    For one of her owne men a score killèd shee:
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    XII

    And when her false gunner, to spoyle her intent,
    Away all her pellets and powder had sent,
    Straight with her keen weapon she slasht him in three:
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree!

    XIII

    Being falselye betrayèd for lucre of hyre,
    At length she was forcèd to make a retyre;
    Then her souldiers into a strong castle drew she:
    Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

    XIV

    Her foes they beset her on everye side,
    As thinking close siege shee co’ld never abide;
    To beate down the wallès they all did decree:
    But stoutlye defyed them brave Mary Ambree.

    XV

    Then tooke she her sword and her target in hand,
    And mounting the walls all undaunted did stand,
    There daring their captaines to match any three:
    O what a brave captaine was Mary Ambree!

    XVI

    ‘Now saye, English captaine, what woldest thou give
    To ransome thy selfe, which else must not live?
    Come yield thy selfe quicklye, or slaine thou must bee.’--
    O then smilèd sweetlye brave Mary Ambree.

    XVII

    ‘Ye captaines couragious, of valour so bold,
    Whom thinke you before you now you doe behold?’--
    ‘A knight, sir, of England, and captaine soe free,
    Who shortèlye with us a pris’ner must bee.’--

    XVIII

    ‘No captaine of England; behold in your sight
    Two brests in my bosome, and therfore no knight:
    Noe knight, sirs, of England, nor captaine you see,
    But a poor simple lass, callèd Mary Ambree.’--

    XIX

    ‘But art thou a woman, as thou dost declare,
    Whose valor hath prov’d so undaunted in warre?
    If England doth yield such brave lasses as thee,
    Full well may they conquer, faire Mary Ambree!’

    XX

    Then to her owne country shee backe did returne,
    Still holding the foes of faire England in scorne:
    Therfore, English captaines of every degree,
    Sing forth the brave valours of Mary Ambree!

FOOTNOTES:

[1301] Gaunt = Ghent.

[1302] ancyent = ensign.




_166. The Lady turned Serving-Man_


    I

    You beauteous ladies great and small,
    I write unto you, one and all,
    Whereby that you may understand
    What I have suffer’d in this land.

    II

    I was by birth a lady fair,
    My father’s chief and only heir;
    But when my good old father died,
    Then I was made a young knight’s bride.

    III

    And then my love built me a bower,
    Bedeck’d with many a fragrant flower;
    A braver bower you ne’er did see
    Than my true love did build for me.

    IV

    But there came thieves late in the night,
    They robb’d my bower, and slew my knight,
    And after that my knight was slain
    I could no longer there remain.

    V

    My servants all from me did fly
    In the midst of my extremity,
    And left me by myself alone
    With a heart more cold than any stone.

    VI

    Yet, though my heart was full of care,
    Heaven would not suffer me to despair;
    Wherefore in haste I changed my name
    From fair Elise to Sweet William.

    VII

    And therewithal I cut my hair,
    And dress’d myself in man’s attire;
    And in my beaver, hose, and band,
    I travell’d far through many a land.

    VIII

    With a silver rapier by my side,
    So like a gallant I did ride;
    The thing that I delighted on,
    It was to be a serving-man.

    IX

    Thus in my sumptuous man’s array
    I bravely rode along the way;
    And at the last it chancèd so
    That I to the King’s court did go.

    X

    Then to the King I bow’d full low,
    My love and duty for to show;
    And so much favour I did crave,
    That I a serving-man’s place might have.

    XI

    ‘Stand up, brave youth,’ the King replied,
    ‘Thy service shall not be denied;
    But tell me first what thou canst do;
    Thou shalt be fitted thereunto.

    XII

    ‘Wilt thou be usher of my hall,
    To wait upon my nobles all?
    Or wilt thou be taster of my wine,
    To wait on me when I do dine?

    XIII

    ‘Or wilt thou be my chamberlain,
    To make my bed both soft and fine?
    Or wilt thou be one of my guard?
    And I will give thee thy reward.’

    XIV

    Sweet William, with a smiling face,
    Said to the King, ‘If’t please your Grace
    To show such favour unto me,
    Your chamberlain I fain would be.’

    XV

    The King then did the nobles call,
    To ask the counsel of them all;
    Who gave consent Sweet William he
    The King’s own chamberlain should be.

    XVI

    Now mark what strange thing came to pass:
    As the King one day a-hunting was,
    With all his lords and noble train,
    Sweet William did at home remain.

    XVII

    Sweet William had no company then
    With him at home, but an old man:
    And when he saw the house was clear,
    He took a lute which he had there:

    XVIII

    Upon the lute Sweet William play’d,
    And to the same he sang and said,
    With a sweet and noble voice
    Which made the old man to rejoice:

    XIX

    ‘My father was as brave a lord
    As ever Europe did afford,
    My mother was a lady bright,
    My husband was a valiant knight:

    XX

    ‘And I myself a lady gay,
    Bedeck’d with gorgeous rich array;
    The bravest lady in the land
    Had not more pleasure at command.

    XXI

    ‘I had my music every day,
    Harmonious lessons for to play;
    I had my virgins fair and free
    Continually to wait on me.

    XXII

    ‘But now, alas! my husband’s dead,
    And all my friends are from me fled;
    My former joys are pass’d and gone,
    For I am now a serving-man.’

    XXIII

    At last the King from hunting came,
    And presently, upon the same,
    He callèd for this good old man,
    And thus to speak the King began:

    XXIV

    ‘What news, what news, old man?’ quoth he;
    ‘What news hast thou to tell to me?’--
    ‘Brave news,’ the old man he did say,
    ‘Sweet William is a lady gay.’--

    XXV

    ‘If this be true thou tell’st to me,
    I’ll make thee lord of high degree;
    But if thy words do prove a lie,
    Thou shall be hang’d up presently.’

    XXVI

    But when the King the truth had found,
    His joys did more and more abound:
    According as the old man did say,
    Sweet William was a lady gay.

    XXVII

    Therefore the King without delay
    Put on her glorious rich array,
    And upon her head a crown of gold
    Which was most famous to behold.

    XXVIII

    And then, for fear of further strife,
    He took Sweet William for his wife:
    The like before was never seen,
    A serving-man to be a queen.




_167. The Simple Ploughboy_


    I

    O the Ploughboy was a-ploughing
    With his horses on the plain,
      And was singing of a song as on went he:
    ‘Since that I have fall’n in love,
    If the parents disapprove,
      ’Tis the first thing that will send me to the sea.’

    II

    When the parents came to know
    That their daughter loved him so,
      Then they sent a gang, and press’d him for the sea.
    And they made of him a tar,
    To be slain in cruel war;
      Of the simple Ploughboy singing on the lea.

    III

    The maiden sore did grieve,
    And without a word of leave,
      From her father’s house she fled secretlie,
    In male attire dress’d,
    With a star upon her breast,
      All to seek her simple Ploughboy on the sea.

    IV

    Then she went o’er hill and plain,
    And she walked in wind and rain,
      Till she came to the brink of the blue sea,
    Saying, ‘I am forced to rove,
    For the loss of my true love,
      Who is but a simple Ploughboy from the lea.’

    V

    Now the first she did behold,
    O it was a sailor bold,
      ‘Have you seen my simple Ploughboy?’ then said she.
    ‘They have press’d him to the fleet,
    Sent him tossing on the deep,
      Who is but a simple Ploughboy from the lea.’

    VI

    Then she went to the Captaìn,
    And to him she made complain,
      ‘O a silly Ploughboy’s run away from me!’
    Then the Captain smiled and said,
    ‘Why Sir! surely you’re a maid!
      So the Ploughboy I will render up to thee.’

    VII

    Then she pullèd out a store,
    Of five hundred crowns and more,
      And she strew’d them on the deck, did she.
    Then she took him by the hand,
    And she row’d him to the land,
      Where she wed the simple Ploughboy back from sea.




_168. Cawsand Bay_


    I

    In Cawsand Bay lying, with the Blue Peter flying,
      And all hands on deck for the anchor to weigh,
    When off came a lady, as fresh as a daisy,
      And modestly hailing, the damsel did say:

    II

    ‘Ship ahoy! bear a hand there! I wants a young man there,
      So heave us a man-rope, or send him to me;
    His name’s Henry Grady, and I am a lady,
      Arrived to prevent him from going to sea.’

    III

    Now the captain, his honour, when he looked upon her,
      He ran down the side for to hand her on board.
    Cried he, with emotion, ‘What son of the ocean
      Can thus be looked after by Helena Ford?’

    IV

    Then the lady made answer, ‘That there is a man, sir,
      I’ll make him as free as a Duke or a Lord.’--
    ‘Oh no!’ says the capp’en, ‘That can’t very well happen,
      I’ve got sailing orders--you, sir, stop on board.’

    V

    But up spoke the lady, ‘Don’t you mind him, Hal Grady,
      He once was your capp’en, but now you’re at large.
    You shan’t stop on board her, for all that chap’s order!’
      Then out of her bosom she drew his discharge.

    VI

    Said the captain, ‘I’m hang’d now, you’re cool, and I’m bang’d now!’
      Said Hal, ‘Here, old Weatherface, take all my clothes.’
    And ashore then he steer’d her; the lads they all cheer’d her;
      But the captain was jealous, and looked down his nose.

    VII

    Then she got a shore tailor to rig up her sailor
      In white nankeen trowsers and long blue-tail’d coat;
    And he looked like a squire, for all to admire,
      With a dimity handkercher tied round his throat.

    VIII

    They’d a house that was greater than any first-rater,
      With footmen in livery handing the drink,
    And a garden to go in, where flowers were blowing,
      The buttercup, daisy, the lily, the pink.

    IX

    And he got edication befitting his station
      (For we all of us know we’re not too old to larn);
    And his messmates they found him, his little ones round him,
      All chips of the old block from the stem to the starn.




_169. The Greenland Fishery_


    I

    In seventeen hundred and ninety-four,
      On March the twentieth day;
    We hoist our colours to the mast,
      And for Greenland bore away, brave boys!
        And for Greenland bore away.

    II

    We were twelve gallant men aboard,
      And to the North did steer:
    Old England left we in our wake--
      We sailors knew no fear, brave boys!
        We sailors knew no fear.

    III

    Our boatswain to the mast-head went,
      Wi’ a spy glass in his hand;
    He cries, ‘A whale! a whale doth blow,
      She blows at every span, brave boys!
        She blows at every span.’

    IV

    Our Captain on the master deck
      (A very good man was he),
    ‘Overhaul! overhaul! let the boat tackle fall,
      And launch your boat to sea, brave boys!
        And launch your boat to sea.’

    V

    Our boat being launch’d, and all hands in,
      The whale was full in view;
    Resolved was then each seaman bold
      To steer where the whale-fish blew, brave boys!
        To steer where the whale-fish blew.

    VI

    The whale was struck, and the line paid out,
      She gave a flash with her tail;
    The boat capsized, and we lost four men,
      And we never caught that whale, brave boys!
        And we never caught that whale.

    VII

    Bad news we to the Captain brought,
      The loss of four men true.
    A sorrowful man was our Captain then,
      And the colours down he drew, brave boys!
        And the colours down he drew.

    VIII

    ‘The losing of this whale,’ said he,
      ‘Doth grieve my heart full sore;
    But the losing of four gallant men
      Doth hurt me ten times more, brave boys!
        Doth hurt me ten times more.

    IX

    ‘The winter star doth now appear,
      So, boys, the anchor weigh;
    ’Tis time to leave this cold countrỳ,
      And for England bear away, brave boys!
        And for England bear away.

    X

    ‘For Greenland is a barren place,
      A land where grows no green,
    But ice and snow, and the whale-fish blow,
      And the daylight’s seldom seen, brave boys!
        And the daylight’s seldom seen!’




_170. The Old Cloak_


        I

        This winter’s weather it waxeth cold,
          And frost it freezeth on every hill,
        And Boreas blows his blast so bold
          That all our cattle are like to spill.
        Bell, my wife, she loves no strife;
          She said unto me quietlye,
        ‘Rise up, and save cow Crumbock’s life!
          Man, put thine old cloak about thee!’

        II

  _He._ O Bell my wife, why dost thou flyte[1303]?
          Thou kens my cloak is very thin:
        It is so bare and over worn,
          A crickè thereon cannot renn.
        Then I’ll no longer borrow nor lend;
          For once I’ll new apparell’d be;
        To-morrow I’ll to town and spend;
          For I’ll have a new cloak about me.

        III

 _She._ Cow Crumbock is a very good cow:
          She has been always true to the pail;
        She has help’d us to butter and cheese, I trow,
          And other things she will not fail.
        I would be loth to see her pine.
          Good husband, counsel take of me:
        It is not for us to go so fine--
          Man, take thine old cloak about thee!

        IV

  _He._ My cloak it was a very good cloak,
          It hath been always true to the wear;
        But now it is not worth a groat:
          I have had it four and forty year’.
        Sometime it was of cloth in grain[1304]:
          ’Tis now but a sigh clout[1305], as you may see:
        It will neither hold out wind nor rain;
          And I’ll have a new cloak about me.

        V

 _She._ It is four and forty years ago
          Sine the one of us the other did ken;
        And we have had, betwixt us two,
          Of children either nine or ten:
        We have brought them up to women and men:
          In the fear of God I trow they be:
        And why wilt thou thyself misken?
          Man, take thine old cloak about thee!

        VI

  _He._ O Bell my wife, why dost thou flyte?
          Now is now, and then was then:
        Seek now all the world throughout,
          Thou kens not clowns from gentlemen:
        They are clad in black, green, yellow and blue,
          So far above their own degree.
        Once in my life I’ll take a view;
          For I’ll have a new cloak about me.

        VII

 _She._ King Stephen was a worthy peer;
          His breeches cost him but a crown;
        He held them sixpence all too dear,
          Therefore he called the tailor ‘lown.’
        He was a king and wore the crown,
          And thou’se but of a low degree:
        It’s pride that puts this country down:
          Man, take thy old cloak about thee!

        VIII

  _He._ Bell my wife, she loves not strife,
          Yet she will lead me, if she can:
        And to maintain an easy life
          I oft must yield, though I’m good-man.
        It’s not for a man with a woman to threap[1306],
          Unless he first give o’er the plea:
        As we began, so will we keep,
          And I’ll take my old cloak about me.

FOOTNOTES:

[1303] flyte = scold.

[1304] cloth in grain = scarlet cloth.

[1305] sigh clout = a rag for straining.

[1306] threap = argue.




_171. Widdicombe Fair_


    I

    ‘Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your grey mare,
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    For I want for to go to Widdicombe Fair,
      Wi’ Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy,
        Dan’l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,
      Old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all.’
            _Chorus_. Old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all.

    II

    ‘And when shall I see again my grey mare?’--
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    ‘By Friday soon, or Saturday noon,
      Wi’ Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer,’ &c.

    III

    Then Friday came, and Saturday noon,
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    But Tom Pearse’s old mare hath not trotted home,
      Wi’ Bill Brewer, &c.

    IV

    So Tom Pearse he got up to the top o’ the hill,
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    And he seed his old mare down a-making her will
      Wi’ Bill Brewer, &c.

    V

    So Tom Pearse’s old mare, her took sick and her died.
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    And Tom he sat down on a stone, and he cried.
      Wi’ Bill Brewer, &c.

    VI

    But this isn’t the end o’ this shocking affair,
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    Nor, though they be dead, of the horrid career
      Of Bill Brewer, &c.

    VII

    When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night,
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    Tom Pearse’s old mare doth appear, gashly white,
      Wi’ Bill Brewer, &c.

    VIII

    And all the long night be heard skirling and groans,
      All along, down along, out along, lee.
    From Tom Pearse’s old mare in her rattling bones,
      And from Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney,
        Peter Davy, Dan’l Whiddon, Harry Hawk,
      Old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all
            _Chorus._ Old Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all.




_172. Get up and Bar the Door_


    I

    It fell about the Martinmas time,
      And a gay time it was then,
    When our goodwife got puddings to make,
      And she’s boil’d them in the pan.

    II

    The wind sae cauld blew south and north,
      And blew into the floor;
    Quoth our goodman to our goodwife,
      ‘Gae out and bar the door.’--

    III

    ‘My hand is in my hussyfskap,
      Goodman, as ye may see;
    An’ it shou’dna be barr’d this hundred year,
      It’s no be barr’d for me’

    IV

    They made a paction ’tween them twa,
      They made it firm and sure,
    That the first word whae’er shou’d speak,
      Shou’d rise and bar the door.

    V

    Then by there came two gentlemen,
      At twelve o’ clock at night,
    And they could neither see house nor hall,
      Nor coal nor candle-light.

    VI

    ‘Now whether is this a rich man’s house,
      Or whether is it a poor?’
    But ne’er a word wad ane o’ them speak,
      For barring of the door.

    VII

    And first they ate the white puddings,
      And then they ate the black.
    Tho’ muckle thought the goodwife to hersel’
      Yet ne’er a word she spake.

    VIII

    Then said the one unto the other,
      ‘Here, man, tak ye my knife;
    Do ye tak aff the auld man’s beard,
      And I’ll kiss the goodwife.’--

    IX

    ‘But there’s nae water in the house,
      And what shall we do than?’--
    ‘What ails ye at the pudding-broo,
      That boils into the pan?’

    X

    O up then started our goodman,
      An angry man was he:
    ‘Will ye kiss my wife before my een,
      And sca’d me wi’ pudding-bree?’

    XI

    Then up and started our goodwife,
      Gied three skips on the floor:
    ‘Goodman, you’ve spoken the foremost word!
      Get up and bar the door.’




_173. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury_


    I

    An ancient story I’ll tell you anon
    Of a notable prince, that was callèd King John;
    And he rulèd England with maine and with might,
    For he did great wrong, and maintein’d little right.

    II

    And I’ll tell you a story, a story so merrye,
    Concerning the Abbot of Canterbùrye;
    How, for his house-keeping and high renowne,
    They rode poste for him to fair London towne.

    III

    An hundred men, the King did heare say,
    The Abbot kept in his house every day;
    And fifty golde chaynes, without any doubt,
    In velvet coates waited the Abbot about.

    IV

    ‘How now, Father Abbot, I heare it of thee
    Thou keepest a farre better house than mee,
    And for thy house-keeping and high renowne,
    I feare thou work’st treason against my crown.’--

    V

    ‘My liege,’ quo’ the Abbot, ‘I would it were knowne,
    I never spend nothing, but what is my owne;
    And I trust your Grace will doe me no deere
    For spending of my owne true-gotten geere.’

    VI

    ‘Yes, yes, Father Abbot, thy fault it is highe,
    And now for the same thou needest must dye;
    For except thou canst answer me questions three,
    Thy head shall be smitten from thy bodìe.

    VII

    ‘And first,’ quo’ the King, ‘when I’m in this stead,
    With my crowne of golde so faire on my head,
    Among all my liege-men so noble of birthe,
    Thou must tell me to one penny what I am worthe.

    VIII

    ‘Secondlye, tell me, without any doubt,
    How soone I may ride the whole worlde about.
    And at the third question thou must not shrinke,
    But tell me here truly what I do thinke.’--

    IX

    ‘O, these are hard questions for my shallow witt,
    Nor I cannot answer your Grace as yet:
    But if you will give me but three weekes space,
    I’ll do my endeavour to answer your Grace.

    X

    ‘Now three weekes space to thee will I give,
    And that is the longest time thou hast to live;
    For if thou dost not answer my questions three,
    Thy lands and thy livings are forfeit to mee.’

    XI

    Away rode the Abbot all sad at that word,
    And he rode to Cambridge, and Oxenford;
    But never a doctor there was so wise,
    That could with his learning an answer devise.

    XII

    Then home rode the Abbot of comfort so cold,
    And he mett with his shepheard a-going to fold:
    ‘How now, my lord Abbot, you are welcome home;
    What newes do you bring us from good King John?’--

    XIII

    ‘Sad newes, sad newes, shepheard, I must give;
    That I have but three days more to live:
    For if I do not answer him questions three,
    My head will be smitten from my bodìe.

    XIV

    ‘The first is to tell him there in that stead,
    With his crowne of golde so fair on his head,
    Among all his liege-men so noble of birthe,
    To within one penny of what he is worthe.

    XV

    ‘The seconde, to tell him, without any doubt,
    How soone he may ride this whole worlde about:
    And at the third question I must not shrinke,
    But tell him there truly what he does thinke.’--

    XVI

    ‘Now cheare up, sire Abbot, did you never hear yet,
    That a fool he may learn a wise man witt?
    Lend me horse, and serving-men, and your apparel,
    And I’ll ride to London to answere your quarrel.

    XVII

    ‘Nay frowne not, if it hath bin told unto mee,
    I am like your lordship, as ever may bee:
    And if you will but lend me your gowne,
    There is none shall knowe us at fair London towne.’--

    XVIII

    ‘Now horses and serving-men thou shall have,
    With sumptuous array most gallant and brave,
    With crozier, and miter, and rochet, and cope,
    Fit to appeare ’fore our Father the Pope.’--

    XIX

    ‘Now welcome, sire Abbot,’ the King he did say,
    ‘’Tis well thou’rt come back to keepe thy day;
    For and if thou canst answer my questions three,
    Thy life and thy living both savèd shall bee.

    XX

    ‘And first, when thou seest me here in this stead,
    With my crown of golde so fair on my head,
    Among all my liege-men so noble of birthe,
    Tell me to one penny what I am worthe.’--

    XXI

    ‘For thirty pence our Saviour was sold
    Amonge the false Jewes, as I have bin told;
    And twenty-nine is the worthe of thee,
    For I thinke thou art one penny worser than hee.’

    XXII

    The King he laughed, and swore by St. Bittel,
    ‘I did not thinke I had been worthe so littel!
    --Now secondly tell me, without any doubt,
    How soone I may ride this whole world about.’--

    XXIII

    ‘You must rise with the sun, and ride with the same,
    Until the next morning he riseth againe;
    And then your Grace need not make any doubt,
    But in twenty-four hours you’ll ride it about.’

    XXIV

    The King he laughed, and swore by St. Jone,
    ‘I did not think it could be gone so soone!
    --Now from the third question thou must not shrinke,
    But tell me here truly what I do thinke.’--

    XXV

    ‘Yea, that shall I do, and make your Grace merry:
    You thinke I’m the Abbot of Canterbùrye;
    But I’m his poor shepheard, as plain you may see,
    That am come to beg pardon for him and for mee.’

    XXVI

    The King he laughed, and swore by the Masse,
    ‘I’ll make thee Lord Abbot this day in his place!’--
    ‘Now naye, my liege, be not in such speede,
    For alacke I can neither write, ne reade.’--

    XXVII

    ‘Four nobles a weeke, then, I will give thee
    For this merry jest thou hast showne unto mee;
    And tell the old Abbot when thou comest home,
    Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John.




_174. The Children in the Wood_


    I

    Now ponder well, you parents dear,
      These words which I shall write;
    A doleful story you shall hear,
      In time brought forth to light.
    A gentleman of good account
      In Norfolk dwelt of late,
    Who did in honour far surmount
      Most men of his estate.

    II

    Sore sick he was and like to die,
      No help his life could save;
    His wife by him as sick did lie,
      And both possest one grave.
    No love between these two was lost,
      Each was to other kind;
    In love they lived, in love they died,
      And left two babes behind:

    III

    The one a fine and pretty boy
      Not passing three years old,
    The other a girl more young than he,
      And framed in beauty’s mould.
    The father left his little son,
      As plainly did appear,
    When he to perfect age should come,
      Three hundred pounds a year;

    IV

    And to his little daughter Jane
      Five hundred pounds in gold,
    To be paid down on marriage-day,
      Which might not be controll’d.
    But if the children chanced to die
      Ere they to age should come,
    Their uncle should possess their wealth;
      For so the will did run.

    V

    ‘Now, brother,’ said the dying man,
      ‘Look to my children dear;
    Be good unto my boy and girl,
      No friends else have they here:
    To God and you I recommend
      My children dear this day;
    But little while be sure we have
      Within this world to stay.

    VI

    ‘You must be father and mother both,
      And uncle, all in one;
    God knows what will become of them
      When I am dead and gone.’
    With that bespake their mother dear:
      ‘O brother kind,’ quoth she,
    ‘You are the man must bring our babes
      To wealth or misery!

    VII

    ‘And if you keep them carefully,
      Then God will you reward;
    But if you otherwise should deal,
      God will your deeds regard.’
    With lips as cold as any stone,
      They kiss’d their children small:
    ‘God bless you both, my children dear!’
      With that the tears did fall.

    VIII

    These speeches then their brother spake
      To this sick couple there:
    ‘The keeping of your little ones,
      Sweet sister, do not fear;
    God never prosper me nor mine,
      Nor aught else that I have,
    If I do wrong your children dear
      When you are laid in grave!’

    IX

    The parents being dead and gone,
      The children home he takes,
    And brings them straight unto his house,
      Where much of them he makes.
    He had not kept these pretty babes
      A twelvemonth and a day,
    But, for their wealth, he did devise
      To make them both away.

    X

    He bargain’d with two ruffians strong,
      Which were of furious mood,
    That they should take these children young,
      And slay them in a wood.
    He told his wife an artful tale:
      He would the children send
    To be brought up in London town
      With one that was his friend.

    XI

    Away then went those pretty babes,
      Rejoicing at that tide,
    Rejoicing with a merry mind
      They should on cock-horse ride.
    They prate and prattle pleasantly,
      As they ride on the way,
    To those that should their butchers be
      And work their lives’ decay:

    XII

    So that the pretty speech they had
      Made Murder’s heart relent;
    And they that undertook the deed
      Full sore did now repent.
    Yet one of them, more hard of heart,
      Did vow to do his charge,
    Because the wretch that hirèd him
      Had paid him very large.

    XIII

    The other won’t agree thereto,
      So here they fall to strife;
    With one another they did fight
      About the children’s life:
    And he that was of mildest mood
      Did slay the other there,
    Within an unfrequented wood.--
      The babes did quake for fear!

    XIV

    He took the children by the hand,
      Tears standing in their eye,
    And bade them straightway follow him,
      And look they did not cry;
    And two long miles he led them on,
      While they for food complain:
    ‘Stay here,’ quoth he; ‘I’ll bring you bread
      When I come back again.’

    XV

    These pretty babes, with hand in hand,
      Went wandering up and down;
    But never more could see the man
      Approaching from the town.
    Their pretty lips with blackberries
      Were all besmear’d and dyed;
    And when they saw the darksome night,
      They sat them down and cried.

    XVI

    Thus wander’d these poor innocents,
      Till death did end their grief;
    In one another’s arms they died,
      As wanting due relief:
    No burial this pretty pair
      From any man receives,
    Till Robin Redbreast piously
      Did cover them with leaves.

    XVII

    And now the heavy wrath of God
      Upon their uncle fell;
    Yea, fearful fiends did haunt his house,
      His conscience felt an hell:
    His barns were fired, his goods consumed,
      His lands were barren made,
    His cattle died within the field,
      And nothing with him stay’d.

    XVIII

    And in a voyage to Portugal
      Two of his sons did die;
    And, to conclude, himself was brought
      To want and misery:
    He pawn’d and mortgaged all his land
      Ere seven years came about.
    And now at last his wicked act
      Did by this means come out.

    XIX

    The fellow that did take in hand
      These children for to kill,
    Was for a robbery judged to die,
      Such was God’s blessed will:
    Who did confess the very truth,
      As here hath been display’d:
    The uncle having died in jail,
      Where he for debt was laid.

    XX

    You that executors be made,
      And overseërs eke,
    Of children that be fatherless,
      And infants mild and meek,
    Take you example by this thing,
      And yield to each his right,
    Lest God with suchlike misery
      Your wicked minds requite.




_175. The Suffolk Miracle_


    I

    A wonder stranger ne’er was known
    Than what I now shall treat upon.
    In Suffolk there did lately dwell
    A farmer rich and known full well.

    II

    He had a daughter fair and bright,
    On whom he placed his chief delight;
    Her beauty was beyond compare,
    She was both virtuous and fair.

    III

    A young man there was living by,
    Who was so charmèd with her eye,
    That he could never be at rest;
    He was by love so much possest.

    IV

    He made address to her, and she
    Did grant him love immediately;
    But when her father came to hear,
    He parted her and her poor dear.

    V

    Forty miles distant was she sent,
    Unto his brother’s, with intent
    That she should there so long remain,
    Till she had changed her mind again.

    VI

    Hereat this young man sadly grieved,
    But knew not how to be relieved;
    He sigh’d and sobb’d continually
    That his true love he could not see.

    VII

    She by no means could to him send,
    Who was her heart’s espousèd friend;
    He sigh’d, he grieved, but all in vain,
    For she confined must still remain.

    VIII

    He mourn’d so much that doctor’s art
    Could give no ease unto his heart,
    Who was so strangely terrified
    That in short time for love he died.

    IX

    She that from him was sent away
    Knew nothing of his dying day;
    But constant still she did remain,
    And loved the dead, although in vain.

    X

    After he had in grave been laid
    A month or more, unto this maid
    He comes in middle of the night,
    Who joy’d to see her heart’s delight.

    XI

    Her father’s horse which well she knew,
    Her mother’s hood and safeguard[1307] too,
    He brought with him to testify
    Her parents’ order he came by.

    XII

    Which when her uncle understood,
    He hoped it would be for her good,
    And gave consent to her straightway
    That with him she should come away.

    XIII

    When she was got her love behind,
    They pass’d as swift as any wind,
    That in two hours, or little more,
    He brought her to her father’s door.

    XIV

    But as they did this great haste make,
    He did complain his head did ache;
    Her handkerchief she then took out,
    And tied the same his head about.

    XV

    And unto him she thus did say:
    ‘Thou art as cold as any clay,
    When we come home a fire we’ll have’;
    But little dream’d he went to grave.

    XVI

    Soon were they at her father’s door,
    And after she ne’er saw him more;
    ‘I’ll set the horse up,’ then he said,
    And there he left this harmless maid.

    XVII

    She knock’d, and straight a man he cried,
    ‘Who’s there?’ ‘’Tis I,’ she then replied;
    Who wonder’d much her voice to hear,
    And was possest with dread and fear.

    XVIII

    Her father he did tell, and then
    He stared like an affrighted man:
    Down stairs he ran, and when he see her,
    Cried out, ‘My child, how cam’st thou here?’

    XIX

    ‘Pray, sir, did you not send for me
    By such a messenger?’ said she:
    Which made his hair stand on his head,
    As knowing well that he was dead.

    XX

    ‘Where is he?’ then to her he said.--
    ‘He’s in the stable,’ quoth the maid.--
    ‘Go in,’ said he, ‘and go to bed;
    I’ll see the horse well litterèd.’

    XXI

    He stared about, and there could he
    No shape of any mankind see,
    But found his horse all on a sweat;
    Which made him in a deadly fret.

    XXII

    His daughter he said nothing to,
    Nor no-one else (though well they knew
    That he was dead a month before),
    For fear of grieving her full sore.

    XXIII

    Her father to his father went
    Who was deceased, with full intent
    To tell him what his daughter said;
    So both came back unto this maid.

    XXIV

    They ask’d her, and she still did say
    ’Twas he that then brought her away;
    Which when they heard, they were amazed,
    And on each other strangely gazed.

    XXV

    A handkerchief she said she tied
    About his head, and that they tried;
    The sexton they did speak unto
    That he the grave would then undo.

    XXVI

    Affrighted then they did behold
    His body turning into mould,
    And though he had a month been dead
    This kerchief was about his head.

    XXVII

    This thing unto her then they told,
    And the whole truth they did unfold.
    She was thereat so terrified
    And grieved, she quickly after died.

FOOTNOTES:

[1307] safeguard = riding-skirt.




_176. Bessie Bell and Mary Gray_


    I

    O Bessie Bell and Mary Gray,
      They war twa bonnie lasses;
    They biggit[1308] a bower on yon burn-brae,
      And theekit[1309] it o’er wi’ rashes.

    II

    They theekit it o’er wi’ rashes green,
      They theekit it o’er wi’ heather;
    But the pest cam frae the burrows-town,
      And slew them baith thegither.

    III

    They thought to lye in Methven kirkyard,
      Amang their noble kin;
    But they maun lye in Stronach haugh[1310],
      To biek[1311] forenent the sin[1312].

    IV

    And Bessie Bell and Mary Gray,
      They war twa bonnie lasses;
    They biggit a bower on yon burn-brae,
      And theekit it o’er wi’ rashes.

FOOTNOTES:

[1308] biggit = built.

[1309] theekit = thatched.

[1310] haugh = water-mead.

[1311] biek = bask.

[1312] sin = sun.





INDEX OF FIRST LINES


The numbers are ballad numbers, not page numbers.

A fair maid sat in her bower door 72

A ship I have got in the North Country 132

A wonder stranger ne’er was known 175

About Yule when the wind blew cule 82

Adieu, madame, my mother dear 151

A’ the boys of merry Lincoln 79

All the trees they are so high 156

All under the leaves and the leaves of life 111

An ancient story I’ll tell you anon 173

An earthly nourrice sits and sings 31

Annan water’s wading deep 92

As I pass’d by a river side 102

As I sat under a sycamore tree 104

As I was a-walking mine alane 140

As I was cast in my first sleepe 59

As I was walking all alane 67

As I was walking mine alane 11

As it befel in midsummer-time 130

As it fell on a holy-day 133

As it fell on one holy-day 50

As it fell out on a long summer’s day 62

As it fell out one May morning 110

As it fell out upon a day 109


Be it right or wrong these men among 69

_But how many months be in the year?_ 118

By Arthur’s Dale as late I went 74


_Can I not sing but ‘Hoy’_ 103

Childe Maurice hunted the Silver Wood 47

Childe Waters in his stable stood 46

Clerk Colven and his gay ladie 29

Clerk Saunders and may Margaret 27

Come, all you brave gallants, and listen a while 119

Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while 120

Come listen to me, yon gallants so free 121

Cospatrick has sent o’er the faem 5


Der lived a king inta da aste 15


Erlinton had a fair daughter 37

Ettrick Forest is a fair forest 84


Fair Margret was a proud ladye 26

False Sir John a-wooing came 10

Foul fa’ the breast first treason bred in! 139

Four-and-twenty nobles rade to the King’s ha’ 85


Glasgerion was a King’s own son 40

God! let never soe old a man 53

God send the land deliverance 146

Gude Lord Scroope’s to the hunting gane 143


Hearken to me, gentlemen 41

Her mother died when she was young 13

Hie upon Hielands 96

Hit wes upon a Scere-thorsday 97

Hynd Horn’s bound, love, and Hynd Horn’s free 35


‘I am as brown as brown can be 157

I have heard talk of bold Robin Hood 123

‘I heard a cow low, a bonnie cow low 7

I herde a carpyng of a clerk 112

I was a lady of high renown 87

‘I was but seven year auld 14

I wish I were where Helen lies 152

In Cawsand Bay lying, with the Blue Peter flying 168

In London was Young Beichan born 45

In Scarlet town, where I was born 158

In seventeen hundred and ninety-four 169

In somer, when the shawes be sheyne 117

In summer time, when leaves grow green 118

In summer time, when leaves grow green 124

In the third day of May 17

Inverey cam’ doun Deeside, whistlin’ and playin’ 149

It fell about the Lammas tide 127

It fell about the Martinmas 77

It fell about the Martinmas time 172

It fell about the Martinmas tyde 141

It fell on a day, and a bonnie simmer day 135

It fell upon a Wadensday 21

It’s Lamkin was a mason good 78

It’s narrow, narrow, mak your bed 42

It was a blind beggar, had long lost his sight 163

It was a knight in Scotland born 71

It was intill a pleasant time 25

It was the worthy Lord of Lorn 76


Jesus, Lord mickle of might 3

Johnnie rose up in a May morning 136

Joseph was an old man 101


King Easter has courted her for her lands 70

Kinge Arthur lives in merry Carlisle 19


Lady Alice was sitting in her bower-window 154

Late at e’en, drinkin’ the wine 150

Let never a man a wooing wend 16

Lithe and listen, Gentlemen 115

Lord Bateman was a noble lord 164

Lord Ingram and Childe Vyet 51

Lord Lovel he stood at his castle-gate 155

Lord Thomas and Fair Annet 54

Lordings, listen, and hold you still 126

Lully, lulley! lully, lulley! 100


Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane 83

Mark this song, for it is true 108

May Margaret sits in her bower door 36

Mery it was in the grene foreste 114

‘My love has built a bonny ship, and set her on the sea 160

My love he built me a bonny bower 153

My plaid awa’, my plaid awa’ 8


Now is Christëmas y-come 107

Now Liddesdale has lain lang in 142

Now Liddesdale has ridden a raid 138

Now list and lithe, you gentlemen 129

Now ponder well, you parents dear 174


O Alison Gross, that lives in yon tow’r 12

O Bessie Bell and Mary Gray 176

O bonny Baby Livingston 147

‘O brent’s your brow, my Lady Elspat 86

O did ye ever hear o’ brave Earl Brand? 38

O have ye na heard o’ the fause Sakelde? 137

O heard ye na o’ the silly blind Harper 144

‘O I forbid you, maidens a’ 2

O Jellon Grame sit in Silverwood 49

‘O lady, rock never your young son young 30

O Rose the Red and White Lilly 55

O the Ploughboy was a ploughing 167

‘O well’s me o’ my gay goss-hawk 60

‘O wha will shoe my bonny foot? 43

O wha would wish the wind to blau 48

‘O where hae ye been, Lord Randal, my son? 66

‘O where hae ye been, my long, long love 28

O Willie’s large o’ limb and lith 113

_O wow for day!_ 50

Of a’ the maids o’ fair Scotland 91

Our King he kept a false steward 4


Prince Robert has wedded a gay ladye 58


‘Rise up, rise up, now Lord Douglas,’ she says 39


Saies, ‘Come here, cuzen Gawaine so gay 18

Saint Stephen was a clerk 98

She lean’d her back unto a thorn 22

Sum speiks of lords, sum speiks of lairds 89

Sweet Willy’s taen him o’er the faem 6


The Angel Gabriel from God 106

The bonny heir, and the well faur’d heir 80

The Duke of Gordon had three daughters 94

The eighteenth of October 145

The first good joy our Mary had 105

The gardener stands in his bower door 159

The _George-Aloe_, and the _Sweepstake_, too 131

The king sits in Dunfermline town 75

The maid she went to the well to washe 99

The Percy out of Northumberland 128

The shepard upon a hill he sat 103

‘The wind doth blow to-day, my love 34

The young lords o’ the north country 73

There are twelve months in all the year 122

There cam’ seven Egyptians on a day 148

‘There is a feast in your father’s house 56

There lived a wife at Usher’s well 32

There was a knight and a lady bright 24

There was a may, and a weel-far’d may 88

There was a rich lord, and he lived in Forfar 20

There was a youth, and a well-belovèd youth 162

There were three ladies play’d at the ba’ 64

There were three ravens sat on a tree 68

There were three sisters fair and bright 9

There were twa brethren in the North 63

There were twa sisters sat in a bour 23

There where three ladies live in a bower 57

This ae nighte, this ae nighte 33

This winter’s weather it waxeth cold 170

‘Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your grey mare 171

True Thomas lay on Huntlie bank 1

‘Turn, Willie Macintosh 134


When captains couragious whom death could not daunte 165

When Robin Hood and Little John 125

When shaws beene sheene, and shradds full fayre 116

When we were silly sisters seven 81

‘Why does your brand sae drop wi’ blude 65

Will you hear a Spanish lady 161

Willie stands in his stable door 90

‘Willie, Willie, what makes you sae sad?’ 61

‘Willy’s rare, and Willy’s fair 93


Ye Highlands and ye Lawlands 95

‘Ye maun gang to your father, Janet 52

You beauteous ladies great and small 166

Young Bekie was as brave a knight 44